Independent Record Store Milestone: Glitter Records Hits 50,000 CDs
Words by Cosmic Staff
Graphic by Liane Barker
Glitter Records has reached a major independent record store milestone. The Brisbane record store has done so by becoming the first independent music retailer in Australia to list more than 50,000 CDs in its online catalogue.
The store has traded for five years and now offers 50,066 CDs and 12,379 vinyl records through its online catalog. The vast collection also includes cassette tapes, DVDs, VHS, shellac discs, box sets and a wide range of legacy formats. Owner Riley Fitzgerald shares that this is rarely seen in mainstream retail today.
Independent Record Store Milestone: A 68,000‑Item Catalogue Spanning 100 Years
The 68,000‑item online catalogue — around 5,000 of which are also available in the store’s California Lane shopfront — spans everything from Edison discs and cylinders to SACDs, Blu‑ray, Betamax and even curiosities like floppy disks and LaserDiscs. Glitter Records blends everyday titles with rare, out‑of‑print and historically significant recordings, a depth more commonly associated with archives than retail shops.
Inside Glitter Records.
How Sustainability Drives This Independent Record Store Milestone
Owner Riley Fitzgerald says Glitter Records’ rapid expansion is powered by a commitment to recycling and sustainability. Across all formats, the store now lists more than 60,000 items, with another 100,000 awaiting processing. The majority secondhand and out of print.
This approach has helped the store grow at a time when many retailers are shrinking, showing that physical media still resonates when curated with care.
Fitzgerald is a former music journalist. He covered the early vinyl revival and says the store’s success comes from thinking deeply about music and recognizing value where others don’t. He describes the business as part retail, part archival.
Glitter Records’ Role in a Changing Music Scene
Glitter Records’ growth stands out amid the broader decline of independent music retail in Queensland. Several long‑running stores have closed in recent years due to rising costs, online competition and the dominance of streaming. In 2025, both Blackened Records and Catalog Music permanently closed their doors. Both cited falling foot traffic and reduced in‑store spending.
This is a shift Fitzgerald says may reflect changing consumer habits as much as any decline in interest in physical formats, with more buyers choosing to shop online.
“The music world has changed a lot in the past five years,” he says. “Everyone has a phone with fast internet now, and that’s completely changed how we discover and buy music. A teenager in my store can pull out their phone and look through 51 million records online on Discogs and 25 million CDs. They can order most new vinyl and have it delivered the next day, often cheaper than any shop can offer.”
“I’ve thought a lot about what this means for independent record stores,’ Riley continues, “and it’s helped me see our strengths.” Fitzgerald sees this as a good thing. There has never been more choice or a greater appreciation of rare recordings and niche music.
Glitter Records continues to expand. The store offers us a reminder that physical media still has a place in the digital era. Especially when paired with community, curation and cultural purpose.
Community Partnerships Strengthening Brisbane’s Independent Music Retail Scene
Beyond online retail, Glitter Records bricks and mortar store works closely with local Fortitude Valley institutions such as community radio station 4ZZZ and the Institute of Modern Art (IMA) on community events, listening parties and local music‑history programs.
A highlight is the California Lane CD and Record Fair, which brings together market stalls, vinyl DJs and guided walks exploring Brisbane’s music heritage. The event has become both a marketplace and regular cultural event.
Fitzgerald places the store’s work within a much longer story of music in the region.
“Our musical history stretches back tens of thousands of years. We’re trying to preserve that past while supporting the future.”
the California Lane CD and Record Fair in 2025.
More Growth Ahead for Australia’s Leading Independent Record Store
With more than 100,000 additional titles still awaiting processing, Glitter Records is preparing for a busy year ahead.
An ambitious archival project, Glitter Records now occupies a significant place in Australia’s independent music landscape.
It’s a rare example of growth, optimism and cultural stewardship. Especially in a sector often under pressure. And a reminder that physical media still has an intriguing story left to tell.
