Vinyl records outsell digital downloads for first time in UK, with buyers spanning the generations

Vinyl sales hit £2.4 million (HK$23.5 million) last week compared with the £2.1 million made from digital music purchases, further proof that record shopping has gone mainstream.

The interest in buying a physical format of music on vinyl has rebounded in the past 12 months. This time last year, the sale of vinyl albums reached £1.2 million, while digital sales were £4.4 million. Vinyl has also experienced eight consecutive years of growth, despite almost dying out around 2006.

Kim Bayley, chief executive of the Entertainment Retailers Association, attributed the surge in part to the number of places now selling records across the UK. An increasing number of vinyl-only record shops have opened, while supermarkets and high street shops now stock records.

Bayley said vinyl had experienced a particular boost in the past week because it was becoming an increasingly popular choice for Christmas presents.

“The vast majority of releases are coming out in vinyl now,” says Bayley. “It used to be that only heritage acts or niche albums would come out as a record, but now everything does – pop albums, compilations, film soundtracks, all genres.”

The top 10 records sold this week speak to the variety of people now buying vinyl. Kate Bush, Amy Winehouse and Busted are in the chart, alongside the Guardian of the Galaxy film soundtrack and Now That’s What I Call Christmas compilation album.