NARM Decries Exclusives

NARM has issued a policy statement condemning the continuing practice of labels providing exclusive music to large, discount-oriented retailers. Among the labels that have engaged in the marketing practice this year are Koch Entertainment, Sanctuary, Columbia, Interscope, and Mammoth.

In the statement, NARM says such practices hurt consumers because most of them are denied access to the exclusive product, and many become confused as to what is the official version of a title. NARM tells labels and artists that if they do release value-added product, they should make it available to all retailers.

Don VanCleave, executive director of the Coalition of Independent Music Stores, says, "Hopefully, the [NARM] statement will mean something to the labels. When an exclusive goes to one retailer instead of everybody, it cheats that fan base."

Label and distribution executives contacted by Bulletin were either unavailable or declined to comment. But one distribution executive says, "I think the labels have gotten that message pretty loud from retailers over the last few months."