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# NARM Coverage Roundup
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/narm_coverage_r/
- Published: 2006-08-07T05:05:00.000Z
- Updated: 2006-08-07T05:05:00.000Z
- Description: 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. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2006/08/narm_coverage_r.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Vinyl, Cassettes & Retail, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:10

[![Narm_1](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/narm_1.jpg "Narm_1")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/narm%5F1.jpg?ref=hypebot.com)

The [National Association Of Recording Merchandisers](http://www.narm.com/esam/am/template.cfm?section=Home7&ref=hypebot.com) 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](http://www.narm.com/Content/NavigationMenu/MediaCenter/PressReleases/DRM.htm?ref=hypebot.com) taking particular aim at Apple.
- A keynote by NARM’s chief Jim Donio gives an overview ([text here](http://www.narm.com/Content/NavigationMenu/MediaCenter/PressReleases/DonioAddress.htm?ref=hypebot.com)) 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](http://news.com.com/Google+We+wont+sell+music/2100-1027%5F3-6102577.html?ref=hypebot.com) for now an touts [Google Trends](http://www.google.com/trends?ref=hypebot.com) 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](http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/music%5Freporter%5Fdisplay.jsp?vnu%5Fcontent%5Fid=1002949745&ref=hypebot.com).