Looking back at what’s been achieved I have to say it truly has been a phenomenal and truly memorable year —one marked by significant milestones and rewarding progress. While it’s undoubtedly been a year of hard work, the results have exceeded expectations, making it our strongest year to date. As we look toward 2025, I’m confident that the foundations we’ve laid this year will drive even greater success. With momentum now on our side, I am confident the best is yet to come.
I feel 2024 has been both challenging and rewarding in equal measure, as our industry continues to navigate the pressures of economic uncertainty, rising operational costs, and the dominance of online competition. Like many, I’ve witnessed firsthand the strain on brick-and-mortar retailers, compounded by store closures and shrinking margins. However, these challenges have also provided opportunities to innovate and collaborate to create lasting solutions.
I’ve been thrilled to contribute to the continued growth of JET Guitars and Flight Ukuleles this year and building on that momentum, we launched a sister brand, Spira Guitars, in October. Spira has already seen great success disrupting the market, thanks to its combination of fresh contemporary designs, unprecedented quality, and market-friendly pricing. Most importantly, all brands offer above-average margins, addressing one of the key pain points in the market today—profitability.
Beyond new products, I’ve also been beyond proud to co-found reSound Market alongside Evan Michaels, a fresh and unique marketplace for UK retailers and verified individuals to sell pre-owned musical instruments and gear with no fees. reSound Market’s mission is to unify the UK’s pre-loved market in a trusted, sustainable platform that not only promotes circularity but also helps retailers achieve higher margins compared to selling new. By creating an avenue for retailers in the growing pre-owned market, we’ve provided another tool for them to weather these challenging times. I'm beyond excited with what we have the huge plans we have in place for 2025 and will share more on this soon. Trust me when I say 'You ain't seen nothing yet'.
My overarching goal this year has been to empower MI retailers by offering market leading products and platforms that help them stand out and sustain profitability. Whether it’s through JET, Flight and Spira driving fresh demand or reSound Market opening up new revenue streams, my focus remains on enabling brick-and-mortar stores to thrive. After all, these stores are the heart of our industry, offering the expertise, community, and hands-on experiences that no online platform can replicate.
Looking ahead, I believe the key to our industry’s resilience lies in innovation and collaboration. By supporting each other and focusing on creating opportunities for retailers to differentiate themselves, we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for everyone in MI.
How was your year?
Any predictions for 2025?
Favourite Christmas dessert?
Let me know in the comments.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas! Eat, drink and be merry and if you’re going to NAMM I look forward to seeing you in the sunshine. If you want to schedule a meeting just let me know and we can get something in the planner.
Thank you to all of my customers, colleagues, collaborators, friends and of course Fret Not Friday subscriber's for your much appreciated support this year.
See you in 2025! 😎🤘🏻
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