£100k move for iconic Scottish record store that’s riding the vinyl revolution, with a little help from Oasis and AC/DC

Now, one iconic Edinburgh vinyl retailer has not only survived the Spotify onslaught but gone on to flourish as it invests in a larger emporium on the back of a record-breaking year.

Avalanche Records has invested more than £100,000 in partnership with Waverley Market owner Moorgarth in a move to a grander home in the city centre mall.

The new space was previously a storage area meaning a new shop has been created from scratch. It will remain dedicated to vinyl, compact discs, posters, t-shirts and music memorabilia but is considerably larger than its previous location in the same centre.

The flit comes as Avalanche reports a record-breaking year since first opening its doors to music lovers more than four decades ago. A number of high-profile gigs in Edinburgh during 2025, including Oasis and AC/DC, have helped attract music fans to the store.

Avalanche notched up its best ever month in August surpassing the previous record in December 2024 and 60 per cent up on August 2024.

The space dedicated to stocking vinyl, CDs and posters will each grow by 50 per cent in the new outlet, with t-shirt space seeing a 25 per cent increase. The shop front will also showcase two large window displays featuring the very best of what Avalanche Records has to offer.

Store owner Kevin Buckle said: “This move marks a huge moment for us and Waverley Market, as we move into the biggest space the centre has available. Our continued growth shows there is still very much a love for physical music, as music lovers look to find new talent as well as listen to their favourite stars.

“We can’t wait for everyone to see the new space and, moving forward, we intend to work even more closely with our fellow tenants such as Rainbow Bubble Tea and The Cheery Churro who are particularly popular with our younger customers.

“The extra floor space means we can now stock more merchandise, for example we can now carry a full selection of the much sought after punk teddy bears lovingly made by the Fife artist Marie Allan and a popular present for those Christmas shopping.”

Avalanche has also been an ongoing supporter of the shopping centre, which is tucked above Edinburgh Waverley railway station and just steps from Princes Street and the Royal Mile, most recently hosting an exhibition in the mall’s “secret staircase” in collaboration with international artist Butcher Billy, with a number of striking Taylor Swift graphics on display which attracted thousands of visitors.

Neil Mackie, Waverley Market’s centre manager, said: “I am absolutely delighted to see not only the relocation and upsizing of Avalanche Records within Waverley Market, but also the confidence and commitment of this key tenant in the centre.

“Avalanche Records is a phenomenal retail offer, founded on knowledge and experience, which is unique not only to Waverley Market but more importantly to the wider Edinburgh retail landscape.”