Vinyl record sales hit 18-year high in UK
By Dave Lee, Technology reporter, BBC News
27 November 2014
Oasis were riding high in vinyl sales in 1996 - and the same album was a top-seller this week too
More than one million vinyl records have been sold in the UK so far this year - the first time the milestone has been achieved since 1996.
The figures mark a largely unexpected resurgence in an industry now considered to be dominated by digital.
Earlier this month, Pink Floyd's new and final album, The Endless River, became the fastest-selling vinyl release since 1997.
The Official Chart Company told the BBC it will soon launch a weekly vinyl chart.
"In an era when we're all talking about digital music, the fact that these beautiful physical artefacts are still as popular as they are is fantastic," said Martin Talbot, managing director of the Official Charts Company.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's Wake Up To Money, he said: "It's really remarkable. We're seeing it come back as a significant earner for the music industry as well.
"Only five years ago this business was worth around £3m a year. This year it's going to be worth £20m."
Vinyl sales remain a tiny proportion of all music sold
However, music industry officials acknowledged that vinyl will likely remain a niche interest.
Pink Floyd's accolade as the fastest-selling vinyl release this century came thanks to just 6,000 sales - a tiny amount in comparison to the numbers amassed by digital formats.
Earlier this week, for instance, One Direction celebrated passing one billion total streams on music service Spotify.
'Candle flickered'
The one million milestone for vinyl sales was reached in the past week, the Official Charts Company said.
Perhaps fittingly, the best selling vinyl in that period was David Bowie's album, Nothing Has Changed.
Rough Trade's stores are benefitting from vinyl sales - the chain has expanded with a new store in Nottingham
The total figures are expected to rise to around 1.2 million with Christmas sales, said Gennaro Castaldo from music industry body the BPI.
"Most of us did write off vinyl," he told the BBC.
"Whilst the candle flickered and nearly went out... it didn't entirely go out.
"I think the start of the 2000 period, a few rock bands came along - The Killers, Arctic Monkeys - it's helped made vinyl cool again."
In 1996, it was Oasis' (What's the Story) Morning Glory? providing healthy vinyl sales. Thanks to a re-issue, the same album is one of the best-selling of this year also - the album is 10th in this week's chart.
Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-30216638
