The annual return of Record Store Day is upon us next month. It is a day designed to celebrate the record shop, the records, and everything surrounding it.

Record Store Day was created as an effort to return interest back to the waning independent record shop, a punch-back to the universal ubiquity of the soulless streaming and digital era of today. Every year brings increased footfall to record shops as music fans look to snatch up limited edition releases, attend in-store events, and bask in the glow of supporting their local shops and favourite artists.

But is this now-tradition helping to revive the humble brick and mortar record shop, or is it a total sham?

Whatever its initial intention, the day has become a small industry in its own right. And everyone wants a piece of the action.

The biggest selling point for Record Store Day, the thing that truly gets feet in the doors, is its focus on limited-edition releases and re-releases exclusive to the day. Usually, Record Store Day releases end up listed for auction on eBay immediately, going for at least five times the retail price.

Scalping is a huge problem. Enthusiastic music fans lose out on releases of interest and are replaced by the hustlers, flippers, and grifters among us. Those waiting outside........

© Herald Scotland