Independent Record Label: Stores That Report to Soundscan

Well, I will be darned. I just found out a tiny but important fact that I find relevant to musicians.

I am sure you are all aware that Soundscan are the guys that track retail sales for all album sales inside certain retail stores.  I suppose it’s important that you know whether the stores you’ve chosen to sell your records report to Soundscan or not.

The following outlets (not all inclusive) report to SoundScan :

•Amazon
•Wal-Mart
•Best Buy
•Target
•Barnes and Noble
•Borders
•K-Mart
•Meijers
•Sam Goody’s
•Fred Meyers
•Most major chain stores with music
departments.

The following outlets don’t report sales to SoundScan:

•Most warehouse clubs (Costco, BJ’s, etc)
•Drug stores and supermarkets (except for Walgreens)
•Many independent record stores can’t report unless they have an electronic sales system
•Record clubs
•Hallmark stores”