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Retail Distribution
Find a new home for your music

Qrates is a music distributor with a retail network of over 150 record stores worldwide. Artists can use Qrates to collect orders from fans while simultaneously selling directly to record stores and distributors at wholesale prices you set. The Qrates retail network is a global network of 150+ retail store accounts including Waterloo (TX/U.S.), Rough Trade (U.K.), HMV (Japan), Music Millennium (OR/U.S.), Juno (U.K.), HHV (Germany) and more. Retailers that would like to register to join the Qrates network can do so here.

When selling to retail, we suggest that you set your project duration longer than 2 weeks to allow time for stores and distributors to determine how many copies they want to order. Additionally, the project description section is where you can tell the story behind your record. Keep in mind that stores and distributors may be learning about you and your music for the first time. We suggest adding preview audio, and any relevant information to make your project more interesting. All orders from retail stores contribute toward your crowdfunding goals and are a great way to reach your goal faster.

Retail stores list

How it works

Artists using the Crowdfunding or Press and Sell option to sell records directly to fans can also make their records available to the Qrates retail network simply by setting a wholesale price and the number of records available to stores. Once your project is ready to order, Qrates makes your project available for retail buyers in a custom retail portal to preview and purchase. Orders from stores are notified by email and sales data is visible in the project dashboard along with your direct to fan sales on Qrates. 

Please note, the option to make your project available to the Qrates retail network does not guarantee wholesale orders.

How to succeed

Best practices for selling wholesale to the Qrates retail network

We all love and appreciate a good story. The project description section is where you can tell the story behind your record. Keep in mind that stores and distributors may be learning about you and your music for the first time. We suggest adding preview audio, and any relevant information making your project more interesting.