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Vinyl Is On The Rise Amongst Youngsters
Thought it was just DJs that still like to peruse the racks of a dusty old record shop? Well think again! An increase in vinyl sales has been driven by 18 to 24-year-olds, according to a new report.

The report, which surveyed 2030 consumers, suggests that today’s youth are buying more vinyl than any other age group under 50. ICM Research conducted the survey in support of Record Store Day which was last Saturday (the 20th of April). The aim of the day was to encourage customers to buy physical records from independent stores.

The report also noted that out of around 2,200 independent record stores in the 1980s, just under 300 are still going today. However, even though there has been a steady decline in shops, vinyl sales have actually steadily increased since 2004, with over 389,000 recordings in the format being sold last year, according to BPI figures.

Artists themselves are also embracing the retro music form and releasing special EPs to keep the trend going. Foals, Jake Bugg, Everything Everything and Tom Odell are just a few of today’s musicians embracing vinyl. Tom Odell commented on his personal passion for scouring stores, "It becomes more of an experience buying a record,” he enthused. Record Store Day UK organiser Spencer Hickman is thrilled at the encouragement of artists today, “It's like so many kids now coming into record stores, when you have Arctic Monkeys saying, 'We go to record shops, we buy vinyl', you can't ask for anything more than that.” ‘Coexist’ by The XX was named the UK’s biggest selling vinyl in 2012, helping overall sales of the medium increase by 15.3% on 2011’s figures.

Maurice Fyles, research director at ICM Research said, “Our research shows that independent record stores are driving and fulfilling a growing demand for music on vinyl – from new Limited Editions to second-hand collectibles. With the closure of many branches of HMV some might expect that demand for music shops and physical formats are declining – our research rejects this. Rather, when there is so much music available to buy or download online, people’s needs from the high street record store have changed. Independent record stores offer a diverse, interesting and rare range of music – and that seems to be the key to their continued survival. It’s a real sign that our high street is evolving to changing consumer needs, and that other local independent retailers can take encouragement from this story.”

www.icmresearch.com



Published: 27 April 2013
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