Music Ally

The Pet Shop Boys have launched a new website with an online shop from Digital Stores at its core. Merchandise available includes t-shirts, hoodies and mugs, but the special bit is that the band’s entire back catalogue is available in physical and digital, with all catalogue being fully chart eligible. Describing The Pet Shop Boys as “a national institution”, Digital Stores’ managing director Russel Coultard says: “They have had a huge following for over a quarter of a century and are now appealing to a whole new audience as well, this store will allow fans of all ages to get every record the band has ever released in any format they prefer.”

The Stereophonics have launched a nifty bundle on their own online store allowing fans to buy tickets for their 2010 tour and the band’s new album together. There’s also a free live CD thrown in for good measure.

The promotion is available through the store run for the band by Digital Stores, as well as through social networking sites. The bundle went on sale last week, and 1,000 have already been sold.

“Stereophonics care a great deal about their fans so it was great to be involved in a project where we were all working on rewarding their loyalty, as well as giving them access to tickets before anyone else,” says commercial director Simon Coates.

There’s more on Digital Stores’ views on bands and D2C commerce in this week’s Music Ally Report, which you can access by signing up for a free two-week trial.