TL;DR
Recent industry reports show a notable surge in vinyl purchases even as many buyers lack turntables; Gen Z is a major force behind the demand. Physical music formats grew in 2022–2023, with vinyl revenues and unit sales rising while streaming remains the dominant but slowing channel.
What happened
A wave of renewed interest in physical music has coincided with surprising buyer behavior: roughly half of U.S. consumers who purchase vinyl records do not own a record player, according to industry reporting cited in recent analysis. Younger listeners, especially Gen Z, are buying records at higher rates than older cohorts, seen by one dataset that found Gen Z listeners 27% more likely to buy vinyl than the average music consumer. Market figures show tangible gains for the format—U.S. vinyl revenue expanded and, in 2022, vinyl units exceeded CD units for the first time since the 1980s. Broader international trade groups and national industry bodies reported continued expansion of physical sales through 2023, even as streaming revenue grew from 2018–2024 and remains the largest segment. Commentators link the trend to a cultural move toward tactile, scarce goods and a reaction against the ubiquity of digital streaming.
Why it matters
- Shifts in consumption signal changing sources of revenue for artists and labels, with physical merchandise and live events gaining relative value.
- The disconnect between record purchases and turntable ownership changes assumptions about why consumers buy physical media—ownership may be symbolic rather than utilitarian.
- Growing demand for vinyl affects production, distribution and retail strategies across music markets internationally.
- The trend reflects broader cultural currents—digital fatigue and a preference for tangible experiences—that could influence other categories of media and consumer goods.
Key facts
- About half of U.S. vinyl buyers reportedly do not own a record player.
- Luminate data cited that Gen Z listeners are 27% more likely than the average music consumer to purchase vinyl.
- RIAA reported U.S. vinyl revenue grew 17% in 2022 to $1.2 billion.
- In 2022 U.S. vinyl unit sales (41 million) exceeded CD unit sales (33 million) for the first time since 1987.
- UK vinyl LP sales reached roughly 5.9 million units in 2023, an 11.7% increase from the prior year.
- IFPI reported global physical music sales rose 13.4% in 2023, accelerating from 3.8% growth the year before.
- Across 2018–2024, streaming revenue roughly doubled while vinyl revenue nearly tripled from a smaller base.
- German industry data show vinyl gaining share, making up about 6% of recorded music revenue in that market.
What to watch next
- Whether a larger share of vinyl purchasers will acquire turntables over time — not confirmed in the source.
- If vinyl growth will continue at recent rates or slow as the market adjusts — not confirmed in the source.
- How supply-side constraints (pressing capacity, distribution) will affect availability and pricing of vinyl — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Vinyl record: A physical analog format for recorded sound, typically a flat disc played on a turntable.
- Streaming: Delivery of digital audio over the internet where users listen to content on demand without owning a local copy.
- Physical media: Tangible formats for music or video, such as vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs, sold as individual products.
- Digital detox: A voluntary period of reduced or no use of digital devices and online services to counteract digital fatigue.
Reader FAQ
Do most vinyl buyers own a record player?
No; the reporting states that about half of U.S. vinyl buyers do not own a record player.
Is Gen Z actually driving vinyl sales?
Industry data cited indicate Gen Z buys vinyl at higher rates — one source found they are 27% more likely than average to purchase records.
Are vinyl sales increasing compared with digital?
Vinyl sales and revenue have grown substantially in recent years, even as streaming remains the largest revenue stream; physical sales also rose globally in 2023.
Will streaming decline as vinyl rises?
Not confirmed in the source.
Why Gen Z is Driving the Vinyl Record Boom? Faruk Alpay 4 min read · Just now — The Great Return: From Digital Abundance to Analog Meaning In the fall…
Sources
- 50% of U.S. vinyl buyers don't own a record player
- Gen Z Drives Vinyl Revival – video Dailymotion
- From TikTok discovery to vinyl revival, Gen Z is reshaping …
- Gen Z's search for decorative collectibles is fueling vinyl …
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