Sainsbury's is stocking vinyl records in 171 supermarkets
"We don't see this as a novelty gifting fad."
Vinyl is back, and it seems like it's here to stay. More than two million LPs were sold in the UK during 2015, up from 1.3 million the year prior. The steady growth since 2007 -- when the medium faced near extinction with 205,000 sales -- has encouraged retailers like Tesco to restock the old format in some of their stores. Sainsbury's is the latest to join the movement, putting 18 different records in 171 supermarkets across the country. The analog collection is mostly classics like The Beatles' Abbey Road and Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, although there's also one contemporary release -- the overwhelmingly popular 25 by Adele.
If you're new to the vinyl revival, Sainsbury's is also selling a Crosley Cruiser turntable for £80. It comes in a briefcase-style shell, which should appeal to hipster listeners that prioritize looks over sound quality.
Sainsbury's says it's serious about the nostalgic format. Pete Selby, head of music and books for the company, said: "We don't see this as a novelty gifting fad but a complimentary part of our existing music offer with a long term future in our stores. Vinyl is definitely experiencing a revival with demand growing stronger year-on-year. It is our aim to make the vinyl experience easy and pleasurable for our customers who are ready to re-engage with a format that resonates with them on an emotional level."
Today's launch means that Sainsbury's is now one of the largest vinyl retailers in the UK. Few companies can match 171 stores on the high street -- Tesco, for comparison, is only stocking the format in 40 locations. It's worth noting, however, that Sainsbury's operates over 1,200 supermarkets, so while this feels like a grand gesture, it's still a relatively small roll-out.
Here's a breakdown of everything Sainsbury's is now selling:
Artist | Album | Price |
---|---|---|
AC/DC | Back in Black | £16 |
Adele | 25 | £18 |
Amy Winehouse | Back to Black | £14 |
Bob Marley | Legend | £14 |
David Bowie | The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars | £16 |
David Bowie | Nothing Has Changed (The Best of David Bowie) | £20 |
Eagles | Hotel California | £12 |
Fleetwood Mac | Rumours | £12 |
Foo Fighters | The Greatest Hits | £18 |
Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin | £12 |
Led Zeppelin | Led Zeppelin IV | £12 |
Nick Drake | Pink Moon | £14 |
Nirvana | Nevermind | £14 |
The Beatles | Abbey Road | £16 |
The Beatles | Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band | £16 |
The Smiths | The Queen is Dead | £12 |
The Specials | The Specials | £12 |
The Stone Roses | The Stone Roses | £14 |