Vinyl continues to maintain its essence in a world dominated by streaming.
After the resurgence of vinyl in the last decade, sales have taken a dip this year. According to the latest report of Billboard23.3 million records will be sold in 2024, compared to 34.9 million last year. This 33% drop reflects how tough the economic outlook has been, and not just for vinyl. CD sales fell 19.5% and digital album sales are also down.
The reality is that not everyone can afford to spend on records, especially when the prices of many vinyls are through the roof. Special editions ranging from $50 to $200 have become inaccessible to many fans. And things don't get any better for producers, since the process of manufacturing vinyl records is expensive and time-consuming, especially since it involves specific materials and specialized machines. With growing demand for vinyl in recent years, many factories faced delays and increased costs, which has contributed to rising prices.
Despite the drop in sales, vinyl continues to stand out compared to other physical formats such as CDs, which have suffered a greater decline. Furthermore, the streaming continues to gain popularity, with 7% growth this year, and catalog records (those more than 18 months old) continue to be the most played. Nostalgia is still alive, although forms of consumption are evolving.
Although vinyl sales have fallen, there are still opportunities to find records at a good price. He Record Store Dayan annual event created to celebrate independent record store culture and promote physical music purchasing, takes place in April and sometimes November (known as RSD Black Friday). During this event, special and exclusive editions of albums are released that can only be purchased at participating independent record stores, making it a great opportunity for collectors. Furthermore, platforms like amazon They also usually offer discounts on special days, such as Prime Daywhere it is possible to find vinyl at more affordable prices.
At the end of the day, holding vinyl in your hands is still an experience. The art, sound and nostalgia that a record offers is unmatched. So, if you haven't purchased any vinyl from your favorite artist yet, it's the perfect time to start your collection!
