I recently opened my online vinyl record store, Alia’s Vinyl Frontier, and I’m looking for suggestions about which albums and artists I should add next.
I want to build a collection that includes popular must-have records, timeless classics, current favorites, and albums that can sometimes be difficult to find. I currently carry—or plan to carry—music from categories such as:
• Classic rock
• Pop
• Country
• Christian and worship music
• Boy bands and solo members
• Movie, television, Disney, and Broadway soundtracks
• Children’s and family music
• Cozy, rainy-day, road-trip, and mood-based collections
• Hidden gems and collector favorites
If you were shopping at a new vinyl store, what would you want to see available?
Please share:
• The artist’s name
• The album title
• Your preferred version, pressing, or color variant, if applicable
• Whether you would prefer a standard or deluxe edition
• Any albums you have struggled to find elsewhere
I would also love to know which artists or genres you think every new vinyl store should carry.
@aliasmith ,
I like the direction you are taking. One suggestion make is to balance the must have albums with records people dont always find at big retailers. Competing on selection rather than just price can help give customers a reason to come back.
also consider adding more audiophile pressings where available Record Store Day exclusives and limited color variants. Those tend to appeal to collectors who are specifically shopping for vinyl rather than just the music itself.
As for artists definitely expect to see names like Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Beatles, Eagles, Taylor Swift, Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, Adele, and Lana Del Rey. Their records seem to have consistent demand from both new and experienced collectors.
One final thought consider letting customers vote on upcoming releases or request albums you’d like to stock. It can be a great way to understand demand before placing larger orders and helps build a community around your store.
Wishing you all the best with Alia’s Vinyl Frontier!
Hi @aliasmith ,
If I were shopping at a new vinyl store, I’d love to see a mix of evergreen classics and harder-to-find releases. Some I’d recommend are:
Fleetwood Mac – Rumours (180g standard)
Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon (180g remaster)
The Beatles – Abbey Road (anniversary edition)
Eagles – Hotel California (180g)
Taylor Swift – Folklore (colored vinyl)
Noah Kahan – Stick Season (deluxe edition)
Zach Bryan – American Heartbreak
Lana Del Rey – Born to Die (colored variant)
Queen – Greatest Hits
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 (soundtrack)
I’d also recommend carrying a good selection of limited editions, Record Store Day exclusives, colored vinyl, and audiophile pressings, as those tend to attract collectors. A mix of best-selling albums and harder-to-find releases can help appeal to both casual listeners and serious vinyl enthusiasts.
Congratulations on the launch of your store! Since you’re looking to build a well-rounded catalog, I’d focus on carrying a mix of evergreen best-sellers and harder-to-find releases that appeal to both casual listeners and collectors.
I’d consider expanding into genres that have strong vinyl communities, such as Jazz(Miles Davis, John Coltrane), blues, indie rock, and classic hip-hop. Limited editions, colored pressings, Record Store Day releases, and audiophile reissues are also great for attracting collectors.
Hello there @aliasmith
If I were opening a new vinyl store, I’d concentrate on balancing well-known classics with the more obscure and difficult to find. Perhaps a customer request or wish list section would also be useful to gauge demand prior to ordering stock. Track requested artists, albums, pressing preferences, and notify customers when something that they want becomes available. This would give you a good idea of what your listeners really want, and also keep them coming back for more down the road.
