Vinyl Set to Outsell CDs for the First Time Since 1986

The decrease in CD sales is not surprising, especially while the digital streaming environment continues to grow. What is surprising, however, is the increase in vinyl sales as of late. Then again, industry revenue is also growing. With the music industry on track to hit $10 billion the first time since 2007, music industry revenue is up 18%.

The RIAA’s 2019 mid-year report last week showed some important numbers for the music industry, which has a bright future. Part of the report revealed that vinyl record sales were generating $224.1 million in sales on 8.6 million units which is continuing to grow. CD sales are on a decline which were $247.9 million on 18.6 million units in sales.

What Vinyl Are People Buying?

vinyl

What vinyl are people actually buying, you might ask? The Official Charts released the top vinyl of 2019 thus far. The list includes everything from Queen’s Greatest Hits, to Billie Eilish’s When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go.

1GREATEST HITSQUEEN
2WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP WHERE DO WE GOBILLIE EILISH
3UNKNOWN PLEASURESJOY DIVISION
4RUMOURSFLEETWOOD MAC
5DIVINELY UNINSPIRED TO A HELLISH EXTENTLEWIS CAPALDI
6THE DARK SIDE OF THE MOONPINK FLOYD
7LEGACYDAVID BOWIE
8THE GREATEST SHOWMANMOTION PICTURE CAST RECORDING
9EVERYTHING NOT SAVED WILL BE LOST – PT 1FOALS
10 BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY – OSTQUEEN
11NEVERMINDNIRVANA
12WESTERN STARSBRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

While it is impressive that vinyl is making a comeback, it only accounts for a small portion of industry sales. For the first half of 2019 alone, it is about 4% of total revenue. While streaming accounted for 80% of the music industry’s revenues in 2019. Physical sales and digital downloads both account for less than 10% each. While paid subscriptions and streaming services generated 62% of the industry total. All in all, it is exciting to see vinyl making a comeback.