Vinyl gross sales within the US surpassed CD gross sales in 2022 for the primary time since 1987, in keeping with information from the Recording Business Affiliation of America (RIAA). Vinyl revenues elevated by 17.2% to achieve $1.2bn in 2022, whereas CD revenues fell 17.6% to $483m. This pattern could also be pushed by the declining reputation of CDs, which have been outmoded by digital music and streaming providers.

Vinyl has develop into in style amongst music followers, notably superfans who’re prepared to purchase data to assist their favourite artists, even when they don’t personal a report participant. A report from music gross sales information firm Luminate discovered that fifty% of vinyl patrons within the US don’t personal a report participant. This discovering has been famous earlier than, with a 2016 ICM survey revealing that 41% of vinyl patrons within the UK personal a report participant however don’t use it.

For a lot of vinyl patrons, proudly owning data is in regards to the aesthetics of the format and its potential to convey a reference to an artist. Some individuals purchase data as presents for family and friends, whereas others are attracted by restricted version releases or the album’s cowl artwork. The rise of vinyl gross sales means that music followers nonetheless worth bodily media and see it as a strategy to specific their id and take part in a music-related group.