Rough Trade opened in 1976 in London as an independent record shop and label founded by Geoff Travis. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Rough Trade achieved success distributing and producing records for pioneering punk and new wave artists. However, financial difficulties led to cutbacks in the early 1980s. Rough Trade signed The Smiths in 1983 but the band left for EMI after three albums. Rough Trade ceased trading in 1991 but was revived in the 1990s, introducing successful artists like Pulp and The Strokes.

1. Timeline of Rough Trade
Rough Trade shop opened, 20th February
1976. Geoff Travis, the founder. Kensington 1976- Alliance with Reggae
Park, Ladbroke Grove Road genre to sell Reggae songs.
January 1977- Buzzcocks were one of
1977- Richard Scott became the distributer for Rough the first bands with Rough trade.
Trade, trying to create an international distribution link.
February 1979- Stiff Little Fingers reached #14 in 1978- First Single produced by Rough Trade records
singles chart selling 100,000 copies. The album ‘Rough label was from French Punk band, Metal Urbaine.
one’ got lots of revenue enabling a good cash flow to
produce more bands. 1979- The Specials sell 375,000 singles for Rough Trade
creating lots of revenue for Rough Trade to work with.
1980- New Direction, Black American
Pop Genre. New accommodation to
bigger warehouse 1981- Robert Wyatt’s song Team Building reached #36 in
charts, War Song.
1982-Financial Difficulties left Rough
Trade hiring their first accountant.
1982- Shop was sold due to cut
backs.
1983- Rift between Geoff Travis and Richard Scott
saw Rough Trade disagree on where the money is April 1983-The Smiths signed to Rough Trade,
funded to, either distribution or producing conventional contract that stated that The
Smiths would have to make four albums.
The Smiths left and signed with EMI after 3
albums. Revenue of sales were used to promote
more bands, The Sundays.
March 1991- 2/3 staff were axed, axing
was not enough....
June 1991- Rough Trade Seized Trading.
1992-Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee decided to try and
revive Rough Trade.
1993-Pulp was introduced by Rough
Trade, debut single reached #2 in
charts ‘Common People’. Pulp followed
up debut with five consecutive top tens.
2000-The Strokes were introduced, following Pulp in
the success, the platform that showed Rough Trades
reestablishment.
2007-Duffy gave Rough Trade their first
number 1 single with ‘Mercy’
2010- ?