The dominance of digital music and streaming platforms has forced the closure of one of Australia’s most enduring retailers, with Sanity announcing it will close its 50 remaining stores by April.
The company’s owner, Ray Itaoui, confirmed on Wednesday the music business would operate online only beyond that time. He said “diminishing physical content” available to sell to customers had forced Sanity to close its bricks-and-mortar operations.
“It has made it impossible to continue with our physical stores,” Itaoui told the Nine Network.
“Our online business will continue to operate and will service the many loyal customers the brand has continued to be dedicated to over the decades. Our priority right now is to ensure each of our team members knows exactly what this means for their career and employment future.”
Founded in 1980, the record, cassette tape, CD and video retailer operated more than 200 stores nationwide prior to the digital era.
When Itaoui bought the company from founder Brett Blundy in 2010, vinyl and CD music sales were worth $367m a year, according to market and consumer data analyst Statista.
That figure has steadily declined year on year ever since. In 2020, $480m was generated through the sale of digital music in Australia, while analog equivalents had plummeted to just $62m, a decline of more than 80% over the preceding decade.
Itaoui said the online operations would continue to fulfil all existing orders and gift vouchers.
