Record Retailer was the only music trade newspaper for the UK record industry. [1] It was founded in August 1959 as a monthly newspaper covering both labels and dealers. Its founding editor was Roy Parker (who died on 27 December 1964). [2] The title changed to Record Retailer and Music Industry News shortly after launch.
With its issue of 10 March 1960, [3] Record Retailer became a weekly magazine and started a chart showing the top 50 records in sales. [4] For the period until February 1969, when a standardised UK chart was established with the British Market Research Bureau, the Official Charts Company recognises the listings compiled by Record Retailer as representing the official national chart. [4]
On 5 October 1967 the title reverted to Record Retailer and in January 1971 became Record & Tape Retailer. [5] The publication was relaunched on 18 March 1972 as Music Week. [6]