Pickwick Records

This is the UK label, with often just a Pickwick logo, a subsidiary of the UK branch company Pickwick International Inc. (GB) Ltd. You will find all the US Pickwick label versions linked at the parent company Pickwick International, Inc. Pickwick Records quickly established itself as the market leader in budget-price LPs thanks to its innovative business practices. It was the first UK company to put in place exclusive licensing deals with the major record companies (for many years it was the official budget reissue outlet for labels such as RCA - since 1973 - and CBS.) In 1987, Pickwick Group listed on the London Stock Exchange, remaining independent until 1992 when it was acquired by Carlton Communications for UKP92 million. Carlton marginalized the Pickwick brand while emphasizing its Hallmark Records label while increasing competition from both the major labels and upstarts like Ace, Trunk Records and Edel cut into its market share. In 1999, Carlton sold off Pickwick leading into a three-year decline which ended when an investor group bought the company and set off to revitalize it. Though it no longer has 40% of the budget reissue market, Pickwick Group is still providing affordable music to the UK market.