Music Retailer Startup Soars In A Sinking Market Segment. Target Market: Incacerated Prisoners

by Daniel on July 22, 2008 · Comments

While traditional music retailers are scrambling for solutions to their evaporating market, a Los Angeles business owner has countered shifting market conditions to the tune of sales over $ 1 million annually.

The mail-order retailer delivers cassette tapes and CDs to America’s 2.3 million prisoners. In an unique piracy-free environment, they circumvent piracy and illegal downloading due to prisoners lack of internet access.

People thought owner Bob Paris was crazy when he started stockpiling cassette tapes about 5 years ago. However cassette tapes account for over 60% of his sales due to CDs being considered contraband in many prisons.

I thought this was a great example of an entrepreneur nuturing a niche for success. For the complete article vist the New York Times.

blog comments powered by Disqus