Independent music retailer Rough Trade has announced that it is expanding into Continental Europe with the launch of a new EU operation, based in Berlin. It will initially launch an online store for EU-based customers before opening a new physical shop in the German capital.
Launching with the backing of German investors Christof Ellinghaus and Kurt Thielen, the EU business will be overseen by Curt Keplin - who joined from FUGA as Managing Director EU in May. This month he was joined by Connor Boshuijer as Head Of Buying, Nina Scherer as Digital Marketing Manager and Daniel Ellis as Warehouse & Fulfilment Manager.
“As a kid, I always dreamt of having a record store, now getting the chance of running one for such an iconic brand like Rough Trade with great history feels surreal”, says Keplin. “At the same time, vinyl is back in full swing, so for Rough Trade, expanding to Europe is the right step at the right time”.
Lawrence Montgomery, Managing Director of Rough Trade UK adds: “This growth is a great reflection of the work put in by our teams over the recent years. We are incredibly proud to be opening a store in Berlin, which has a rich cultural and music history that we’re excited to become a part of”.
“The expansion of our e-commerce operation will bring great scale for our label partners”, he goes on, “as we will be able to sell and promote their artists and releases across three major territories - UK, US and EU”.
The online store is set to begin trading next month, with the Berlin shop expected to open in the second quarter of 2024. It will feature 270 square metres of retail space, a 600 capacity venue, food market and rooftop garden.
Back in the UK, Rough Trade has announced a new partnership with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably, which will kick off with an event at Rough Trade East in London later this month.
All proceeds from the show on 16 Sep will be donated to CALM, with attendees treated to performances from Floodlights, Human Interest and Hatchie.
