The music retail industry has faced a seismic shift as one of its largest global players, Professional Music Technology (PMT), abruptly closed all its stores and began liquidating assets.
This closure marks a significant moment for the industry, reflecting broader challenges faced by brick-and-mortar retailers in the digital age.
Here’s an in-depth look at PMT’s collapse, the factors driving it, and what it means for musicians and the retail landscape.
Professional Music Technology, officially S&T Audio Ltd, was once the UK’s fourth-largest musical instrument retailer, operating 11 stores across England and a central warehouse in Liverpool.
Known for its extensive range of guitars, drums, keyboards, and professional audio equipment, PMT catered to musicians of all levels, from hobbyists to professionals.
The retailer also boasted a robust online presence, competing with global e-commerce platforms.
On June 11, 2025, PMT entered administration, ceasing all trading operations immediately.
The decision shuttered all physical stores and halted online sales, leaving employees, customers, and suppliers in shock.
According to administrators, the company could not secure funding to continue operations, prompting a full liquidation of its inventory and assets.
Why Did PMT Collapse?
The closure of PMT is not an isolated incident but part of a broader trend affecting music retail chains worldwide.
Several key factors contributed to its downfall:
- Shift to Online Retail: The rise of e-commerce has fundamentally changed how consumers purchase musical instruments. Online giants like Thomann and Sweetwater offer competitive prices, vast selections, and free shipping, often undercutting brick-and-mortar stores. PMT’s physical locations, while popular for hands-on testing, struggled to match the pricing and convenience of digital competitors.
- Post-Pandemic Challenges: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the decline of traditional retail. Lockdowns forced temporary store closures, disrupting cash flow, while supply chain issues increased costs for instruments and accessories. PMT, like many retailers, faced reduced foot traffic even after restrictions lifted, as consumer habits shifted permanently toward online shopping.
- Rising Operational Costs: High rent, utilities, and labor costs in prime retail locations weighed heavily on PMT’s profitability. Unlike larger chains like Best Buy, which adapted by offering competitive delivery and pricing, PMT lacked the scale to absorb these expenses while maintaining low prices.
- Loss of Accessory Sales: Music stores rely heavily on high-margin sales of accessories like strings, cables, and sheet music. However, customers increasingly turned to online retailers for these items, leaving physical stores to bear the cost of showcasing expensive instruments without capturing follow-up purchases.
- Failure to Secure Funding: Despite efforts to find a buyer or additional investment, PMT could not overcome its financial difficulties. The company’s administrators cited a lack of viable offers, forcing the decision to liquidate.
A Global Trend in Retail
PMT’s closure follows a pattern seen across the music retail sector.
In 2024, Sam Ash Music, a century-old U.S. chain, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed all its stores, with its brand name later acquired by Mexico-based Gonher Music Group for online operations.
Similarly, Bax Music, one of Europe’s largest instrument retailers, ceased operations earlier in 2025 after filing for bankruptcy, citing pandemic-related losses.
These closures highlight the vulnerability of music retail chains that rely on physical stores.
Unlike general electronics retailers, music shops face unique challenges due to the niche nature of their products and the tactile preferences of their customers.
Musicians often visit stores to test instruments before buying, but many complete their purchases online to save money, eroding store profitability.
The loss of PMT’s 11 stores is a blow to local music communities in the UK.
These locations served as hubs where musicians could try out gear, network, and seek advice from knowledgeable staff.
The closure eliminates a key resource for aspiring and professional artists, particularly in cities like Birmingham, Manchester, and London, where PMT had a strong presence.
Employees, too, face uncertainty.
Hundreds of staff members across PMT’s stores and warehouse are now out of work, adding to the economic ripple effects of the closure.
Customers with outstanding orders or gift cards are left in limbo, with administrators advising them to file claims through the liquidation process, though full refunds are unlikely.
What’s Next for PMT?
As PMT liquidates its inventory, liquidation sales are underway at its former stores, offering discounts of up to 70% on guitars, amplifiers, and other equipment.
However, all sales are final, and the company’s website is no longer accepting orders.
There is speculation that, like Sam Ash, PMT’s brand name could be acquired by another company for online-only operations.
However, no such deal has been confirmed, and the immediate focus remains on winding down the business.
PMT’s collapse underscores the need for music retailers to adapt to a rapidly changing market.
Successful chains like Guitar Center in the U.S. have survived by investing in e-commerce, offering competitive financing, and creating experiential in-store events to drive foot traffic.
Smaller independent stores, meanwhile, thrive by focusing on personalized service, repairs, and niche products that online platforms can’t replicate.
For consumers, the shift to online shopping offers convenience and savings but comes at the cost of losing physical spaces that foster creativity and community.
As more chains like PMT disappear, the music retail landscape may increasingly split between global e-commerce giants and boutique local shops.
But I’m curious to know what you think — leave your thoughts below.
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