Ditch the Gloom, Embrace the Boom: 5 Retail Tips for the New Guitar Era 🎸

By Lee Alexander

After a bleak spring that saw both GAK’s Brighton flagship and PMT’s entire chain close their doors, it’s been easy to imagine the UK MI sector slipping into permanent gloom. Those closures removed two of the nation’s largest physical and online sales funnels, unsettling suppliers and leaving thousands of players suddenly without a “local” even in the digital sense.

Against that backdrop Worthy Farm felt like therapy. Over four sun-splashed days Glastonbury 2025 became a love-letter to the six-string:

·      Neil Young leading 100 000 voices through “Rockin’ In The Free World”

·      Biffy Clyro delivering huge Fender Strat driven anthems

·      The Last Dinner Party strumming Harmony Bobkats on the Park Stage;

·      Juliette Jackson swapping Jazzmasters with The Big Moon

·      Even dance duo Jungle thickened their grooves with live Telecasters

You could walk from the Pyramid to West Holts and never be out of ear-shot of a guitar. But the set that cut through the retail gloom was Sunday night’s breakout from Olivia Rodrigo.

Olivia’s Pyramid-Stage set was a riot of fuzz-pedalled hooks, backed by a killer all-female band who tore through Olivia’s hits with pure fire. From the snarling intro of “good 4 u” to a surprise cameo by The Cure’s Robert Smith, the performance was as much a guitar celebration as it was pop spectacle, and it played out to a live and online audience packed with tween and teen viewers.

Britpop Royalty Reunite: Oasis in Cardiff 🇬🇧🎤

Fast-forward to the following week and Britpop royalty returned. After sixteen years of sibling silence, Oasis stormed Cardiff’s Principality Stadium like they’d never been away, rattling out tune after tune to 70,000 fans new and old proving that the guitar-driven anthems which inspired so many in the mid-90s still resonate deeply today.

The Gallaghers’ reunion isn’t just nostalgia; it drags a whole songwriting style – loud amp, power chords and huge chorus back into the spotlight at exactly the moment when Gen-Z is craving “real” bands. (Be prepared for the return of Wonderwall to your acoustic dept!)

Sabbath Saturday: Back to the Beginning 🤘

Then in Birmingham’s Villa Park last Saturday, the monumental “Back to the Beginning” charity concert marked Black Sabbath’s final live gathering and served a masterclass in heavy riff heritage.

With Ozzy Osbourne delivering classics from his throne alongside Zakk Wylde before reuniting with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for Sabbath hymns, it felt like a passing of the torch. Metal legends such as Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and Anthrax paid tribute, each guitarist laying down riffs in homage to Iommi’s legacy. For those of us who grew up hearing “Iron Man” echo through our headphones, it was a reminder that the next generation of players will form their own musical lineage from these influences.

Three very different gigs, one shared outcome: guitars are once again at the centre of mainstream conversation.

Sooo, still think guitar is dead?

For retailers and brands these recent events are rocket fuel, but only if we act fast.

5 Top Tips to Ride the Guitar Resurgence and Drive Sales

Feature “Stage-Ready” Starter Packs Don’t just stock cheap guitars that are uninspiring and difficult to play. Make sure you are stocking guitars that offer the best value possible, guitars that whilst affordable are easy to play, stay in tune and look cool. Bundle them with a quality small practice amp, lead, clip on tuner and picks to make the process as quick and easy as possible. JET and Spira Guitars are perfect for this. Clearly price the bundle to undercut the total of individual items. New players will love the simplicity, and you can enjoy higher average order values.

In-Store Selfie Station Designate a corner with a branded backdrop (you can just print your logo and web address on a sheet of A3 to get you started) and a guitar on a stand. Encourage visitors to snap a pic with their dream guitar and tag your store on social media for a free pick and sticker set. User-generated content under your handle = free marketing, and you only needed a bit of paper and a marker.

“Next-Visit” Email Voucher Stick a simple email-capture tablet (or even a clipboard with a sign-up sheet would do the job) by your demo area. Offer anyone who drops you their email a one-time 10% off voucher for their next guitar purchase.(Maybe cap it to a max of £100 or so but up to you) Congratulations, you just built a mailing list and a reason to come back.

Run a Weekly “Five-Minute Riff” Clinic Host a free, no-strings-attached 30-minute session every Friday or Saturday afternoon. Teach one iconic riff live via social media. Give some quick tips on how to nail the tone and why you’ve picked the gear you’re using so followers know exactly what they need to get hold of(from you) as well as learning a great new riff.

Create a “Creator Corner” On-Site Dedicate a small, bookable space in your store—think a compact room or alcove with your logo and web address on the backdrop. Equip it with a couple of amps(ideally you’ll want something with a Fender clean vibe and something Marshally for the gain fans), a tripod, and a basic audio interface. Let local creators and influencers reserve slots to demo or review any guitar from your stock. They turn their filmed content into authentic promotion for your store, while you help them grow their audience. It’s a win-win spotlight on your gear and your community.

We’re at an inflection point: three headline-grabbing events, each driven by guitars, remind us of the magnetic pull these instruments still hold. For retailers, it’s not enough to wait for footfall – you need to create the moment.

By stocking the right gear, crafting hands-on experiences, and speaking directly to both newcomers’ and established players needs, you’ll turn inspiration into sales and create new customers for life.

Yes, the loss of GAK and PMT leaves a vacuum but vacuums favour those agile enough to fill them first. Independent retailers can own the conversation by being visible, inclusive and ready with inventory that speaks directly to the buzz.

Have a great weekend and if you’re seeing Oasis in Manchester enjoy the soooonshyne and don’t forget your bucket hat! 🤘🏻🌞