Retailer FNAC to become Deezer shareholder and partner

Retailer FNAC to become Deezer shareholder and partner

Fresh from inking deals with football clubs Manchester United and FC Barcelona, Deezer has turned its partnership attentions back to the world of retail.

French company FNAC has announced a strategic alliance with the streaming service, which Deezer says may include FNAC becoming one of its shareholders. The deal will also see FNAC faze out its own ‘Jukebox’ digital music service, migrating customers across to Deezer. It will also be promoting Deezer to people buying audio and music products – from CDs to headphones – as well as working together on live events.

Interestingly, there’s also a ticketing element to this partnership: in France, Deezer will be recommending concerts on sale through FNAC’s ticketing division. “Already a partner of the largest French telecommunications operator [Orange] we are delighted, as the number one streaming service in France, to combine our music expertise and technology with the market leader for the distribution of cultural and technical products,” said Deezer’s Alexis de Gémini.

The move also parks Deezer’s tanks on 7digital’s lawn: the latter B2B company sees retailers as a key market for its white-label streaming services, while Deezer is offering them more of a partnership model. Current evidence suggests both approaches are winning new business.