Better than ’20, but Still Not Back to ‘Normal.’ Bring on 2022…

As is tradition, I yield this space to allow for a handful of officers from some of the largest MI retailers in the land to comment on the past calendar year. – Christian Wissmuller

“We are seeing great gains over 2020. All of our KPIs are showing solid gains. We are seeing more customers using online channels to purchase from us, which we expected based on COVID-influenced shopping behaviors… With logistic and manufacturing challenges, the demand for used will only grow [in 2022].” – Tim Kletti, Music Go Round

“We should be able to beat 2020 without breaking a sweat… Some schools wanted only orchestral strings or guitars. Where are we going to get the guitars?” – Stephanie Howe, Ted Brown Music Company

“Very excited to see back to school season in 2021 bounce back to pre-covid participation levels. Overall cost increases and product availability continue to be major concerns. Consumer confidence appears to be high going into the holiday season, though.” – Peter Sides, Robert M. Sides Family Music Center

“2021 was still strong and the educational market was much better. The disrupted supply chain is my biggest concern. I believe not all of that is bad, though. It has created an interest in things that we aren’t able to get and people are becoming more willing to wait for things.” – Tim Pratt, Dietze Music

“School music business almost returned to normal, Inflation, COGs, staffing, and delivery delays [are concerns]. I think we will see an increase in sales and an increase in expenses in 2022”. – Bill Everitt, Brook Mays/HH Music

“What COVID? Attitude is everything. Our ability to look for the positive, define what we can do, and support dynamic innovation across the entire company was magical.” – Jeffrey Eckroth, Eckroth Music Co.

“If we don’t get this virus under control, brick and mortar has to change its time-honored philosophy that bigger is better. Now bigger just means more overhead.” – Sammy Ash, Sam Ash

“Varying timelines of store closures (us included), distribution disruption, and manufacturing shutdowns presented great opportunities… This isn’t the first big thing we have been through as a company and that has become clearly evident with the companies and customers we do business with.” – Chris Nail, C&M Music Center

“I think my biggest concern is all of the kids that might not be able to try music in school because of the shutdowns in some states… If we have to go very long without kids learning music, we could lose a few years of those benefits that music is proven to enhance in young minds.” – Tim Jones, N Tune Music & Sound

“With our focus in the school music market, our efforts of staying connected with educators and students during the virtual year of 2020 definitely paid off. 2021 showed a strong rebound in school music and lessons.” – Chris White, White House of Music

“2021 has rebounded and then some, but not in all areas… Regardless of that, however, 2021 will finish as the best year in our company’s 32-year history.” – Dave Kessler, Kessler & Sons Music, Inc.

“The people who came back to music or started in 2020, based on ‘more time’ are wanting to continue… We are fortunate to be in a line of business that has staying power, that gives back, and is an investment in multiple ways.” – DeDe Heid, Heid Music

“2021 was better than 2020, but we’re not out of the deep end yet… The current government mandates and restrictions are growth prohibitive and continue to create disadvantages to small, privately owned businesses.” – Laura Penrose, Nick Rail Music