Music data company Luminate, collects data used in Billboard chart, has formed a new partnership with indie record store groups in an effort to resolve the controversy over how it collects information on physical music sales.
Under a new partnership that began on April 19, Luminate collects data on physical music sales, including vinyl, CDs and cassettes, from streeta music data company that receives daily sales figures directly from stores.
StreetPulse data will be integrated into actual sales data that Luminate has collected from other stores, allowing Luminate to “report more direct independent music retail data in the US than ever before.” , the company said in a statement released on Wednesday (April 24).
Collaboration included Music Business Association and several groups work together under pseudonyms Record keeping date: the Alliance of Independent Music Stores (CIMS), the Alliance of Independent Media Outlets (TARGETS), And Record storage department (DORS).
In conjunction with this change, Billboard announced a rebranding of the Tastemaker Albums Chart, which will now be called 'Indie Store album sales.'
Luminate's extensive data collection on actual sales at independent stores comes after a The controversy flared up last year about changing physical music sales figures, which independent store groups said could mean some physical music sales would be underreported on the Billboard charts.
“We are honored to play a part… so that our beloved record stores can once again have a real seat at the table.”
Pearl jam
Luminate has announced that it will stop using a weighted actual sales calculation model, under which the data company adjusted sales figures to account for the fact that not all stores Independently all report their sales.
Under the new model, which will be launched this year, only actual recorded sales will be counted, leading some figures in the indie music industry to warning that this would disadvantage artists whose sales are concentrated in indie music stores.
The new partnership with StreetPulse, which aims to expand physical music sales counted by Luminate, has been praised by Pearl jam – a rock band known for supporting indie music – and by its frontman Eddie Vedder.
“For as long as we've been a band, there's always been a system that works. We are honored to play a part…so that our beloved record stores can once again have a real seat at the table,” Pearl Jam said in a statement.
“We really love… [independent] shop. They have always meant the world to us,” Vedder added. “When you get to this point where you can help the community and community record stores, it's a no-brainer.”
“Sometimes it takes a bit of hard work to bring people together, and the industry response to reducing physical data is perhaps necessary to highlight how important that data is to our industry.”
Portia Sabin, Music Business Association
“I want to thank the unions, the retailers and Luminate for taking this seriously and coming together to reach an agreement,” said the president of the Music Business Association. Portia Sabin.
“Sometimes it takes a little bit to bring people together, and the industry response to the removal of physical data is perhaps necessary to highlight how important that data is to our industry. I also want to thank the many people at record labels, distributors and even individual artists who spoke up and helped us reach an agreement, because whenever our industry comes together shared goals that will inspire our future.”
Andrea PaschalSIMS's CEO called the new deal “the most significant development in independent music retail since the founding of Record Store Day…Our goal has always been to ensure comprehensive physical sales numbers and bringing in data from StreetPulse, which collects physical sales from more independent retailers in the US than ever before will ensure that every purchase is categorized and precise calculation.”
“Physical retail remains strong and growing, and this deal will ensure that that reality is reflected in sales and total consumption figures.”
Hannah Carlen, Secret group
“Luminate is dedicated to providing quality and accurate data to the industry,” said Luminate Chief Partner Officer, Chris Muratoresaid in a statement.
“We always strive to be good partners with people across many sectors of the music and entertainment industries and we are pleased to announce this new partnership that aligns with that mission and the our values”.
“Comprehensive sales figures are important for everyone: for artists and their label partners, for Luminate to provide accurate market reporting, as well as for independent retailers own and properly control their data and the insights that follow,” said Secret group Marketing director Hannah Carlen.
“Physical retail remains strong and growing, and this deal will ensure that that reality is reflected in sales and total consumption figures.”Music business worldwide
