UK Vinyl sales up 78 percent in 2013

Despite the fact that many people consider the vinyl record to have already died, recent data according to the Official Record Store Chart suggests otherwise. In the first quarter of 2013, results show that vinyl record sales have increased by a significant 78 percent. This isn't random nor a shock rise however, as last year (2012), vinyl sales surged up by 15 percent across all genres to an impressive 389,000 copies sold, the highest since 2004. Although independent record stores only accounted for thee percent of all albums sold in 2012, they managed to contribute towards more than 35 percent of all vinyl sales in the UK. With data collected by the Official Record Store Charts company, it takes in account sales from some of the biggest stores in the country including London's Rough Trade, Piccadilly Records in Manchester and Crash Records (Leeds) among others. The official  weekly chart is published each Sunday, last week it was announced that folk band Mumford and Son's hit album 'Babel' was the biggest selling record in the last 12 months sold by independent record stores. The other four top selling vinyl records of 2012/13 include Emelie Sande's 'Our Version Of Events' (2nd), record store day ambassador Jack White with Blunderbuss at number three and albums from The xx and David Bowie at to finish of the top 5. This news in general is great for the music industry and community, especially after the recent actions taken towards HMV's future. Also, these results and data bring forward that it isn't at all the end for the vinyl record but potentially a new beginning. Sales will only continue to increase and no doubt that 78% rise will significantly be exceeded especially with Record Store Day fast approaching.

The full UK Official Vinyl chart for 2012/13 was as follows:

Mumford & Sons - Babel
Emelie Sande - Our Versions of Events - 
Jack White - Blunderbuss
The xx - Coexist
David Bowie - The Next Day
Alabama Shakes - Boys & Girls 
Alt-J - An Awesome Wave
Jake Bugg - Jake Bugg
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Push The Sky Away
Richard Hawley - Standing at the Sky's Edge