A record store in Kuopio, Finland, has expanded significantly by offering over 10,000 movies for sale, reflecting a growing trend in movie sales alongside vinyl and CDs.
Levykauppa Äx, a prominent record store chain in Kuopio, Finland, underwent a significant transformation after needing a new location due to the demolition of their previous building. Entrepreneur Jyri Lipponen seized the opportunity to double the size of the store, making it the largest of the chain in Finland. The new store spans nearly 200 square meters, allowing Lipponen to stock a much larger selection of products, particularly the introduction of over 10,000 movies for sale. Lipponen expressed some ambivalence regarding this decision, questioning whether expanding into movies was a sensible move.
The decision to add an extensive range of films comes in the context of rising sales in vinyl and CD formats, which Lipponen noted have been positively trending over the years. This shift indicates a broader resurgence in physical media consumption, with the store’s movie sales contributing to over a million euros in revenue last year. Lipponen's experience, although initially unplanned, highlights the adaptability and evolution of record stores in the current market environment.
Having been in the record business for 28 years, Lipponen’s unexpected transition into film sales was spurred by a chance acquisition of records that included films. The past year's success has left him contemplative about the future direction of the store, as he navigates the balance between traditional record sales and this new venture into the film market, signaling a potentially wider trend in consumer habits.
