UDS Hits Record-Breaking Month in Christmas Run Up

14 December 2023 - Press release

Utopia Distribution Services, the UK’s largest distributor of physical music and video, has completed its busiest month to date since acquiring the assets of Cinram Novum in September 2022. 

UDS shipped 3,360,067 units from its new Bicester site in November, which peaked at 820,778 shipped during the month’s final week. The figures reflect a 26% increase from October, when UDS shipped 2,662,314 units. UDS also distributed 9 out of the top 10 UK official albums in December’s first week, including the top 3. 

Since the start of November, UDS serviced chart topping albums including Taylor Swift’s re-recording of ‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’, which achieved 138,000+ physical sales in its first week. UDS also handled Take That’s no. 1 album, ‘That’s Life’, which entered the charts with a 97% physical majority in sales, as well as Madness’s ‘Theatre of the Absurd Presents C'est la Vie’ which secured no. 1 off the back of a 91% physical majority. 

Physical music formats continue to play a vital role in chart success, with 36 out of 42 unique UK no. 1 albums this year to date topping the Official Albums Chart off the back of majority physical sales. 

November's record-breaking figures follow UDS’ relocation from Cinram Novum’s previous Aylesbury site to Bicester in August 2023. The new 25,000sq metre facility opened as a first-of-its-kind centralised home for UK physical distribution to meet ongoing demand for physical music and video. 

The site distributes 70% of the UK’s physical music for clients including Universal Music Group (UMG), Sony Music Entertainment, [PIAS] and Cargo. UDS also provides invoicing, cash collection and returns services for Warner Music. 

Drew Hill, Managing Director at UDS & Proper Music Group, said: “As demand for physical music continues to grow, it remains essential that the recording’s business can benefit from a fit-for-purpose supply chain able to service the biggest major to the smallest indie. I am incredibly proud of the infrastructure UDS has built, with the success of our new warehouse being testament to the collective hard work from industry stakeholders to ensure physical formats can continue to thrive in years to come.”