Vinyl sales rise in America by 108% this year

The US vinyl market has always been a strong one. This year, sales have surged 108%, new data has revealed. 

A monster 19.2M vinyl albums flew off the shelves during the first six months of 2021. This represents a 108% increase from the same period from the previous year, according to the new deep dive from MRC Data. The figures also suggest an increase in demand for wax over CDs. From January to June 2021, 19.2M records were sold, compared to 18.9 million CDs. 

The exponential rise represents a fifteen-year uptrend in vinyl sales, which only converts to 5.2% of all revenues in the US music industry. A 28.7% increase in US sales from the previous year as vinyl outsold CDs for the first time since 1986, the Recording Industry Association of America have stated. The UK follows a similar pattern where vinyl sales have hit their highest peak since 1989, data from the British Phonographic Industry showed. 

Vinyl is still a tricky medium for some. Despite its ever-growing popularity, it is a tough vehicle of music for fans and professionals. A multitude of elements can cause damage to the vinyl. A heatwave in the US is warping shipments making online purchasing and delivery a bit of a headache. 

Delivery and operational problems cause a knock-on effect in delayed manufacturing – already facing a backlog from the pandemic – which is placing a strain as supply is far less than demand. 

Vinyl production is facing an uphill struggle to meet current orders as many label releases are being pushed back several months as a result.