UK online music retailer Digital Stores says its Internet business is insulated from the trend where physical music retail stores in the UK are disappearing and the outlook ‘on the high street’ for music retailers remains gloomy with record shops high on the endangered species list.

The manager of Recordstore.co.uk , Steve Wheeler said that since a live beta version of the redesigned website was trialed in February, Recordstore.co.uk has seen a double-digit percentage sales uplift, which he said is “proving that design, concept, user experience and artist credibility can still trump mass marketing and free downloads.

Wheeler said the website, which sells selected CDs, vinyl, MP3s, books and accessories, now boasted a stunning new design, evoking the look and feel of a local independent record shop.
 
“The redesign also incorporates several new features including a new widget that allows music fans to read and display the latest news and releases from Recordstore on their blogs, MySpace and Facebook pages or other sites, and even a new Twitter feed.”

According to Wheeler, the new site builds on Recordstore’s music-orientated philosophy, combining an indie aesthetic with the ability for fans to promote the site through their blogs and social networks.
 
“It’s something that frankly few other retailers could hope to do, to have our customers out spreading the gospel for us.  Recordstore’s customers can feel that Recordstore has its heart in the right place, that’s the added value, and that’s why they keep coming back.”

Digital Stores have also unveiled a new online store for the band Madness. Forming part of the band’s new website, Digital Stores says the store is currently the only place where fans can pre-order a limited edition box set band’s much anticipated new studio album ‘The Liberty of Norton Folgate’ and will soon include merchandise and the band’s full back catalogue.

The company says the Madness store is just the latest in Digital Stores expanding portfolio, which includes online stores for the likes of The Beatles, Queen, Oasis, and The Prodigy.
 
Wheeler said that overseeing all these sites will be Lawrence Kenny in his new role as head of store management.