Jordan O'BrienSainsbury’s is getting into the music business, with the company officially launching its own record label. Rather fittingly, the company has called the new venture ‘Own Label’, and has partnered with Universal and Warner Music, so it should hopefully feature some big-name artists.
Own Label is a huge gamble on the continued growth of vinyl, which has hit a 25-year high, but it’s a bet that could pay off big time with Sainsbury’s already enjoying its place as the largest vinyl retailer on the high street.
So, what is different about Own Label and the other vinyl that Sainsbury’s already sell? Well, the retailer says that it will sell exclusive records that cannot be found anywhere else in 168 of its stores.
Unfortunately, the first two records to be released by Own Label aren’t exactly going to be smash hits. The two are compilation albums by Bob Stanley, one named Hi Fidelity – A Taste of Stereo Sound, while the other is called Coming Into Los Angeles – A Taste of West Coast.
There’s currently no word on pricing, although these new albums should sit in the existing pricing range, which is between £12-16. For that price the albums will also come packaged with essays by Stanley himself, while the LPs’ will all feature cover artwork inspired by Sainsbury’s in-house design studio of the 60s and 70s.