EMP Merchandising


EMP Merchandising also known as EMP Merchandising Handelsgesellschaft mbH, Large Popmerchandising, and Sweden Rock Shop is a German-based music mail order and merchandising store. The company distributes a quarterly catalog to customers. In a 2003 report, the Osnabrück Chamber of Commerce considered the company to be the largest mail order business for hard rock and heavy metal music in Germany. In September 2018, Warner Music Group acquired EMP from Sycamore Partners.
Founded in 1986, by Frank Janetzky and Felix Lethmate, the company is based in Lower Saxony in Lingen, Germany, with affiliates all over Europe.
In 2007, over 240 people were employed by the company. EMP distributes music CDs and other merchandise, including shirts and buttons of rock and heavy metal bands. EMP distributes their articles in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, France, Spain, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Sweden.
In 2007, the company was honored with an Echo award as Trade Partner of the Year.