The event nobody noticed

Canon runs Camera Store Week in the UK every year, now in its fifth outing. Most consumers have no idea it exists.

“Most consumers aren't even aware”

Borrowed from vinyl

The name echoes Record Store Day, which draws dozens of labels, hundreds of artists and hundreds of shops into one push. That one gets real coverage.

But it is all Canon

Record Store Day became an industry-wide, international boost. Camera Store Week is a single manufacturer's promotion wearing similar clothes.

“Canon's Camera Store Week is chiefly all about Canon.”

Ten years of silence

Gavin Stoker spent a decade editing the UK photo trade magazine, pitching a Record Store Day for camera shops. The idea went nowhere.

“My idea was mostly met with silence.”

300 shops down to 60

Independent UK photo retailers have fallen from around 300 to as few as 50 or 60 in ten years. Photography has nearly vanished from the local high street.

“That doesn't benefit anyone.”

America is holding on

Over 1,000 photo independents still trade in the USA. It is a far bigger country, so the comparison flatters the numbers more than the trend.

What the week offers

Canon has print workshops, photo walks and tutorials built around its RF lens range for 2026. Useful, but shops will spend it selling Canon.

Rich, at this stage

Accessory brands join in this year, which helps. Harder to swallow is manufacturers who spent years selling direct now pledging to support the high street.

“support the high street and give customers more reasons to visit their local store”

Band together or lose it

This year's week actually runs a fortnight, September 14 to 27. The bigger point stands: act while there are still shops left to hold it in.

“we can, and need to, do more”