Built on a shared commitment to independence, expert-led music discovery and human curation, partnership launches in stores and online today.
Qobuz, the independently-owned high-quality music streaming and download platform, is launching a new global partnership with Rough Trade, the leading independent music retailer. Aligned since day one on their commitments to the independent music community, best quality sound, expert-led music discovery, and emphasis on human curation over algorithms, the deal will establish Qobuz as the Official Streaming Service of all Rough Trade stores worldwide through 2028.
The two-year initial partnership will integrate Qobuz directly into the in-store experience across all Rough Trade locations in the US, UK, and Germany. Qobuz and Rough Trade will join forces on live in-store events, co-producing performances and programming hosted at Rough Trade locations across the UK, as well as in NYC and Berlin.
“Rough Trade is one of the best known and most respected names in music retail, and Qobuz is honored to have been chosen as their Official Music Streaming Service. We are looking forward to working closely with the Rough Trade team to create meaningful new experiences for dedicated music fans”
Dan Mackta, Qobuz Managing Director for North America and Northern Europe
Music from the Qobuz download store will be available through the Rough Trade retail website. Special streaming deals and other offers will be available to Rough Trade customers, and Qobuz subscribers and employees will be able to access discounts at Rough Trade stores.
The partnership launches as Rough Trade marks its 50th anniversary, aligning the rollout of in-store integration, live events, and subscriber offers across its global network.
“As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, there couldn’t be a more fitting partnership than expanding our artist-focused community into high-quality digital streaming with Qobuz — a likeminded independent platform that connects audiences and artists through deep curation, and champions emerging talent as passionately as established voices.”
Stephen Godfroy, co-owner of Rough Trade
Further details on specific in-store activations, live events, and special offers will be announced during the course of the partnership.
About Qobuz
Founded in 2007 and a pioneer of high-quality sound, Qobuz is the French music streaming and download platform for those who want to live and share their passion for music. Available in 26 countries across Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, and Japan, Qobuz is aimed at all those seeking an authentic and fulfilling musical experience.
With more than 100 million tracks in lossless quality – CD, Hi-Res (24-bit/up to 192 kHz), DXD, and DSD – Qobuz offers the richest Hi-Res catalog on the market, recognized by the world’s leading hi-fi brands. It stands out for its commitment to preserving original recordings, in addition to its human touch with unique editorial content, expertly curated playlists, liner notes, and more.
In March 2025, Qobuz became the first streaming platform to have its average payout rate per stream officially validated by an independent audit, confirming a rate of US$0.01873 – officially the highest in the industry. The platform peaked at #4 on the iOS App Store in 2025 and more than doubled its new user base. Qobuz is licensed for Hi-Res audio by the Japan Audio Society (JAS).