First it was reliable music warehouse, then Look ‘n Listen now Musica is shutting its doors after 29 years in operation. This highlights the dire impacts of an evolving market where change and adaptation are concerned. These stores are primarily music and movie stores selling CDs and DVDs. So, as an avid physical CD copies buyer, I am guttered by this to say the least.

I have always known hat the digital space was slowly creeping into the market of how traditional music has always been consumed over time. Music Apps are now at people’s fingertips where a simple click can either lead to a stream or a download without having to queue. It took me some time to personally learn the ropes of using a music app on my phone or accept that to me the new norm. I had hope that Musica will at least survive the test of time as it recently merged with a successful retailer Clicks to boost its image and stature. This meant that someone with a Clicks clubcard could swipe their card to earn more cashback points at Musica. I honestly had hope. They added to their usual offering, items like gaming devices, airtime vouchers, speakers, ear and headphones, books and vinyl’s. This was their way of diversifying their market and fighting for relevance.

As one of the only stores I frequently visit at my local mall, I started noticing that their stock was dwindling ever since the new year started and they began to advertise a R20 massive sale for DVDs and CDs. It looked like a closing down clearance sale. I asked one of the sales representatives about where the rest of the stock has gone and why does it look like they are closing down. The lady politely confirmed my biggest nightmare – that Musica is indeed closing down shop. She asked me to not say a word as they were not officially obliged to reveal the news to the customers as yet. This took me a while to process but the inevitable reality of our current world and its demand to be innovative while pushing for the bottom line were challenged more so now than ever amid a global pandemic.

There. Covid-19 rears it’s ugly head again. When the climbing death toll and falling economic climate were not enough – it causes Musica to also succumb. No more 3 for 2 specials.

No more 3 for R99 specials.

Where on earth am I going to get my physical CD copies from now onwards? The online and digital spaces beckon and I need to respond. Alas.

I enjoyed passing time at this store by browsing through countless CDs and DVDs on the shelves and getting samples to listen to before purchasing. My CD collection speaks for itself and I pride myself about it. I now wonder and worry about the staff and how this will have an impact on their livelihoods. I see some staff members have already been placed at nearby Clicks stores and I hope others do get other placements around the Clicks franchise where applicable.

The article on Timeslive (https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2021-01-29-end-of-an-era-sa-reminisces-about-musica-as-popular-chain-closes-down/ brings me somewhat hope, for now at least. It says that 19 stores countrywide will close since the start of the 2021 financial year and that 59 others will continue trading until imminent closure in the next couple of months.

Well, for now there is nothing much I can do about this reality but to document my concerns about it as a blog. And the fact that some people will lose jobs as a result, worries me at but I cannot help but wonder whether this situation could have been prevented or whether all of this is happening at the right time for the best reasons? One thing is certain, I will miss Musica – that’s for sure.