Record Retailer was the only music trade newspaper for the UK record industry from 1959 to 1972. It was founded in August 1959 as a monthly newspaper covering both labels and dealers. Its founding editor was Roy Parker (who died on 27 December 1964). The title changed to Record Retailer and Music Industry News shortly after launch.

With its issue of 10 March 1960, Record Retailer became a weekly magazine