NARM Coverage Roundup

The National Association Of Recording Merchandisers may be as old school as you get, but it’s annual gathering provides a look into the current sorry state of retail as well as their concerns and solutions. Highlights and news from last week’s gathering include:

• Tower Records is on credit hold from all four major label groups
• NARM’s board calls for standardized DRM taking particular aim at Apple.
• A keynote by NARM’s chief Jim Donio gives an overview (text here) of the industry offering some hope and touting the need for research and innovation at music retail.
• In another keynote Google tells retailers it’s staying out of music sales for now an touts Google Trends as a hit predictor.
• Troubled Sanctuary Records moves to RED for distribution starting with a new Iron Maiden release.
• Chris Morris of The Hollywood Reporter provides a good overview.