October 21st 2024.
A beloved stationery and bookseller is making waves with a major announcement - they are bringing back a product that hasn't been seen on their shelves since the 1990s. The iconic brand, WHSmith, has confirmed that they will be stocking vinyl records in 80 of their high street stores. This move is sure to connect a new generation of music fans with the physical records that were once a staple in the music industry.
As vinyl has seen a recent surge in popularity, with artists such as Taylor Swift and Oasis releasing special editions on the format, WHSmith saw an opportunity to cater to this growing demand. Some of the stores that will be welcoming back vinyl include Canterbury, Chester, Edinburgh Gyle, and York. This marks a significant change for the brand, as they had phased out vinyl in the 1990s due to the rise of CDs.
In 2023, an impressive 11.7% increase in vinyl sales was recorded, making it the 16th consecutive year of growth. This shows a clear trend of music lovers appreciating the tangible and physical aspect of owning a record. It's a far cry from the old days when owning vinyl was more of a necessity than a choice. Back then, if you wanted to listen to your favorite artist outside of the record booth at your local store, you had to purchase the record.
But with the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, the music industry has undergone a significant shift. People now pay a monthly fee for unlimited access to their favorite songs, and physical formats like vinyl, CDs, and cassettes have taken a backseat. However, WHSmith's decision to bring back vinyl is a testament to the fact that owning a record holds a different meaning for music fans today.
For many, it's not just about the sound quality or supporting small businesses, but also about owning something tangible in a world where everything is digital. There is also a growing interest in building a collection, with some artists even using record sales as a way to grant fans early access to their latest releases.
The news of WHSmith's vinyl comeback has been met with excitement and nostalgia from record fans. On social media, people have been reminiscing about the good old days when they could spend their pocket money on a record from WHSmith. Some have even shared pictures of their old vinyl purchases, with fond memories attached.
The commercial director of WHSmith's high street operations, Emma Smyth, shares that they are thrilled to bring back records to their stores for both long-time fans and new listeners. She also mentions that she's not surprised by the resurgence of vinyl's popularity and that many customers must have fond memories of spending hours in record shops browsing the latest releases.
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