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An independent hi-fi retailer is marking 30 years in business, with turnover expected to reach \u00a33.5 million this year as a new generation of music lovers discovers vinyl and high-quality home audio.<\/p>\n
Loud & Clear, founded by Allan Boyd in 1996, now attracts customers from across the UK and Europe, while remaining firmly rooted in Scotland, which still accounts for more than 75% of its business.<\/p>\n
The milestone comes as vinyl continues its resurgence, with UK sales rising 13.9% in the first nine months of 2026 compared with the same period last year, according to figures reported by Music Week.<\/p>\n
The company has built its success by expanding its range of premium audio equipment and services, from record players and home cinema systems to music streamers costing more than \u00a320,000 each. <\/p>\n
It now employs 17 full and part-time staff, with most having worked there for more than a decade and nearly half for more than 20 years.<\/p>\n
Bank of Scotland has renewed the company\u2019s overdraft facilities, continuing a relationship spanning over three decades.<\/p>\n
As listening habits have evolved, the retailer has embraced both music streaming and the resurgence of vinyl, welcoming younger customers buying their first record players alongside long-standing hi-fi enthusiasts.<\/p>\n
The business has also built a community around its stores, hosting intimate live gigs, album launches and exclusive events where customers can meet audio manufacturers and engineers.<\/p>\n
Mr Boyd said: \u201cThirty years ago, I could never have imagined what Loud & Clear would become, but I\u2019m incredibly proud of what we\u2019ve built and the people who\u2019ve been part of that journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cMusic has always been at the heart of what we do and it\u2019s brilliant to see younger people discovering vinyl. <\/p>\n
\u201cOn a Saturday morning we might have students buying their first record player, and there\u2019s something really encouraging about seeing that enthusiasm for music being passed on to another generation.\u201d<\/p>\n
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