Running a record shop should be about music, culture, and connection — not endless supply chain headaches and vinyl distribution nightmares.
Before Even by Odd existed, trying to buy vinyl records wholesale felt like navigating a maze blindfolded. Minimum order quantities (MOQs), unreliable suppliers, poor communication — the entire vinyl distribution model wasn’t built for independent record shops, especially not in the UK. It was clear that the independent vinyl distribution space needed a reset. The Recording Industry Association of America® (RIAA)‘s 2024 Year-End Music Industry Revenue Report once again confirms that vinyl remains a powerful, growing force — and independent shops deserve a distributor that meets that momentum head-on.
The Real Cost of the Old Vinyl Distribution Model
In the early days, I placed an order with a major vinyl record supplier. I had to buy £1,000 worth of stock just to meet their MOQ — even though most of it wasn’t what I actually needed. Out of 40 records ordered, I might have only truly wanted six. But to get those six, I had to take on the rest. And even then, the ones I needed sometimes never arrived.
It was chaotic. And for small, independent record shops, chaos can kill.
Why Cash Flow Is Everything
When you’re starting out, cash is king. For many indie shops, stock is bought three months at a time, upfront. That ties up funds — funds you could’ve used for rent, marketing, or simply staying afloat. One wrong move in your inventory and you’re stuck with records you can’t shift, slowly discounting them just to free up space and money.
I was fortunate to have a day job at the time, so I could absorb that risk. But most people can’t. And they shouldn’t have to.
That’s when the idea behind Even by Odd started forming.
From a Frustrated Buyer to a Vinyl Distribution Disruptor
By 2022, after building up global supplier relationships, I noticed something troubling — the more suppliers I added, the worse things got. Shipments were missing key stock. Popular records were mysteriously “out of stock” even when showing 90+ units available. Why? Because big players like HMV were prioritised.
Small shops? We were always last in line.
So, I built Even by Odd — a UK-based vinyl record wholesale distributor that works with independent shops, not against them.
We officially launched in late 2023 after a year of testing, bringing together over 230,000 music products under one roof — vinyl, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, and merchandise.
The Vinyl Distribution Problems We Solve
1. Minimum Orders Were Killing Shops
Most vinyl distribution companies won’t ship until you hit high minimums. That’s a huge risk for indie retailers. We reimagined how independent vinyl distribution should work — no MOQs.
With Even by Odd, you can buy vinyl records wholesale in any quantity. Want one record? Cool. Need 500? We got you.
2. Communication & Transparency
We’ve lived the frustration of silent suppliers. So now:
- You get low stock alerts before you order.
- Out-of-stock and price-change reports are included with every order when applicable.
- Every shipment includes tracking and key documents automatically.
- And soon, a line-by-line tracker showing order status and supply chain progress.
We’re transparent because we’ve been on the other side.
3. Importing Simplified
For international customers, importing records used to be a mess in vinyl distribution — confusing customs, surprise fees, multiple shipping invoices. We streamlined it. One supplier. One shipment. Less stress.
We’re constantly improving the process, even while facing the same challenges ourselves.
How We’re Different (And Better)
Even by Odd exists to make vinyl distribution in the UK — and worldwide — more accessible, transparent, and fair. Here’s how:
- No Minimum Orders — Order what you need, when you need it.
- Massive Selection — 230,000+ line items, growing weekly.
- Real-Time Stock Visibility — No more guessing games.
- Simplified Imports — A smoother ride for international shops.
- Built for Indies — Because that’s who we are at heart.
We’re not just another vinyl record supplier — we’re your partner in growth, with vinyl distribution at the core.
We’re Not Perfect (Yet)
We still hit snags. We’re growing fast — too fast sometimes. I’ve been the bottleneck more times than I’d like to admit. But we’re scaling, adding people, and building systems to solve those new problems.
This isn’t just a business. It’s a mission.
We’re not here to make a quick buck. If I wanted easy profit, I’d be doing something else entirely. This business exists because the industry needed better — and I knew I could build it.
Where We’re Going (And What’s Next)
In 2025, our goals are big and we’re going to bring you along for the journey. Through content, transparency, and shared learnings — because we believe independent record shops deserve more.
Even by Odd was built out of necessity. It’s growing out of passion. And it exists for people just like you.
If you run a record shop and want a vinyl distribution partner that actually works for you — join us.
Thanks for reading,
Jordan
