Topman to retail music with Rough Trade deal

Topman is to start selling music at its London flagship Oxford Street store as part of a major expansion due to be announced later this month.

Blur
Blur

The retailer has confirmed it has signed a deal with independent outlet Rough Trade Retail and will start selling CDs from September.

The move is being seen as addressing a gap in the market left by the collapse of high street music retailers such as Zavvi, the original Fopp chain and Woolworths, although Rough Trade Retail’s approach is seen as more appealing to young music fans.

Last month a reunited Blur held their first public gig in nine years at Rough Trade’s Brick Lane store, and acts such as Lilly Allen have also played at the shop.

The move is a further step in Topman’s music related expansion, which has seen it sponsor live music events and has its own music events “Topman Ctrl” which are events in cities around the UK curated by and featuring young upcoming artists.