Who Owns Rough Trade Records?
Rough Trade Records is owned by Beggars Group, a privately owned British independent music company founded by Martin Mills in 1977. Beggars Group acquired Rough Trade Records and maintains full ownership. Beggars Group is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and is privately held, not publicly traded.
Parent Company
Beggars Group
Founded
1978
Status
Private
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Who Owns Rough Trade Records?
- Parent Company: Beggars Group
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Company Type: Privately Held
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Rough Trade Records | Beggars Group | Wholly owned |
History of Rough Trade Records
- Founded: 1978
- Founders: Geoff Travis
Rough Trade Records was founded in 1978 by Geoff Travis in London, England. The label emerged alongside the Rough Trade record shop, which was established in 1976 and became a central hub for punk and new wave music in London. Rough Trade Records was informed by left-wing politics and structured as a cooperative, reflecting the DIY ethos of the punk movement.
Throughout the late 1970s and 1980s, Rough Trade Records became one of the most important independent labels in the UK, releasing music from influential punk and post-punk artists including The Smiths, The Fall, Scritti Politti, and The Pop Group. The label played a crucial role in the development of independent music culture in Britain.
The label faced financial challenges in the 1990s and went through various ownership changes and restructuring. However, Rough Trade Records continued to release music from significant artists and maintained its reputation for supporting innovative and alternative music.
Under Beggars Group ownership, Rough Trade Records has continued to champion boundary-pushing artists across indie and alternative music genres. The label maintains its commitment to artistic independence while benefiting from the resources and stability of the Beggars Group network.
About Beggars Group
Who owns Beggars Group?
Beggars Group is privately owned by Martin Mills, who co-founded the company in 1977 and serves as chairman. The company has no parent organization and is not affiliated with any major label or media conglomerate.
Is Beggars Group publicly traded?
No. Beggars Group is a privately held company and is not listed on any stock exchange.
What labels does Beggars Group own?
Beggars Group owns 4AD, XL Recordings, Matador Records, Rough Trade Records, Young Turks, and Beggars Banquet Records, among others.
What artists are signed to Beggars Group labels?
Beggars Group labels have released music by Adele (XL Recordings), The xx (Young Turks/XL), Vampire Weekend (XL), Pavement (Matador), Yo La Tengo (Matador), Cocteau Twins (4AD), The National (4AD), and many others.
When was Beggars Group founded?
Beggars Group was founded in 1977 by Martin Mills and Nick Austin as Beggars Banquet Records, a record shop and label in London.
Why has Beggars Group remained independent?
Martin Mills has consistently stated that independence allows the company to make decisions based on artistic merit and long-term artist relationships rather than short-term commercial pressures. The company has declined acquisition offers from major labels throughout its history.
- Founded: 1977
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Company Type: Privately Held
Where Is Rough Trade Records Made / Based?
- Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
- Manufacturing / Operations: United Kingdom, United States, International distribution partners
Brands Owned by Beggars Group
- Matador Records - American independent record label founded in 1989, known for releasing music by ...
- XL Recordings - British independent record label founded in 1989, known for releasing music by a...
Rough Trade Records Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Historic independent label with punk and post-punk heritage
- +Strong reputation for supporting innovative and alternative artists
- +Backed by Beggars Group's extensive music industry experience and resources
- +Creative freedom and artist development focus characteristic of independent labels
- +Established distribution network and industry relationships
- +Cultural significance in British independent music history
Considerations
- -Music industry challenges including streaming revenue and digital disruption
- -Competition from major labels and independent competitors
- -Dependency on artist success for label profitability
- -Market volatility in music consumption patterns
- -Need to maintain relevance in changing music landscape
- -Balance between historic legacy and contemporary artist development
Frequently Asked Questions About Rough Trade Records
Where to Buy
Disclosure: We may earn commission from purchases
Rough Trade Records on AmazonCompetitors to Rough Trade Records
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony Group | USA | 1988 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Warner Music Group | USA | 2019 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Sony Music Entertainment
Owned by Sony Group Corporation
American global music company and one of the world's largest record labels, operating multiple music labels and music publishing services.
Warner Records
Owned by Warner Music Group
American record label owned by Warner Music Group, flagship label of the Warner Music Group family, founded in 2019 as successor to Warner Bros. Records.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Rough Trade Records competes with 2 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Jobs at Beggars Group
Latest News About Rough Trade Records
Related Articles About Rough Trade Records
View more articles
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
The Most Acquired Categories: Tech vs CPG vs Pharma
Which industries see the most brand acquisitions? We compared technology, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals to find out where the most M&A activity happens and why.
The Truth About 'Made in America' Brand Claims
Many brands market themselves as American-made. But what does that actually mean when the parent company is foreign, the parts come from overseas, and 'assembled in USA' is not the same as 'made in USA'?
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the Media & Entertainment category and related searches from other users.
Adult Swim
American programming block and streaming service on Cartoon Network featuring adult-oriented animated and live-action comedy programming.
Amazon Studios
Amazon's film and television production company creating original content for Prime Video and theatrical release.
Among Us
Multiplayer social deduction game where players work together to complete tasks while identifying impostors among the crew.