Vinyl sales rise in lockdown Shareholders back easyjet board

Dundee vinyl record specialist Assai has reported an increase in sales during lockdown as more people embrace music.

Assai operates shops in Dundee’s Union Street and Edinburgh but sells the majority of its products online via the Amazon marketplace.

Owner Keith Ingram says that online sales have grown significantly on the platform since lockdown began in Scotland in March, as more people make the most of their turntables.

He said: “Around 70% of our customers are online. We ship a lot of our stock to Europe – mainly Italy, France and Germany as well as the United States. However, we’ve noticed a significant increase in Scottish customers.

“A big reason for the spike is the fact that many of us have much more time at home to enjoy music. I’m a firm believer that music can bring huge benefits for mental health and can be a source of companionship and normality for those who are more isolated.”

Despite needing to close both of its shops due to the coronavirus pandemic, Assai, which employs 17, has managed to continue safely trading by using an internet fulfilment location.

Mr Ingram said traffic had also increased to Assai’s own website as people continue to support independent retailers.

Shareholders in easyjet have backed the company’s board in a bitter dispute with founder Sir Stelios Haji-ioannou over a multi-billion-pound aeroplane deal.

Easyjet said that 99% of votes cast by independent shareholders were against Sir Stelios’s demands to remove the chairman, chief executive and two other directors from the easyjet board.

However, around 42% of votes cast were nevertheless in favour of firing the four. These were mostly Sir Stelios’s votes.

The outspoken tycoon had called those in charge of easyjet “scoundrels”, accusing them of sticking to a £4.5 billion deal with Airbus which he believes could eat up all the carrier’s money.

Speaking to shareholders at a meeting called by Sir Stelios, who still owns 34% of the business, chairman John Barton stuck by the deal.

He said it will replace many ageing planes, which need extra fuel and maintenance, and is vital for the business.

“The company has no right to unilaterally terminate the Airbus contract because of the Covid-19 crisis,” he said.

Steve Keith Ingram of Assai Records. Picture: