Vinyl Records to Surpass CD Sales

Vinyl records are expected to sell more than CDs in 2019.

According to a report by the Recording Industry Association of America, the nostalgic vinyl records will surpass CDs in sales. A co-owner of a local record store, Roundabout Music Company, said both older and younger generations purchase records.

“Older people, you know, they’re like, ‘Man I used to listen to these when I was a teenager and I can’t believe they are coming back.’ Young kids coming in, they’re looking for Pink Floyd or the Beatles,” said Lacy Hale. Hale said when the store opened five years ago, the “resurgence was happening.”

Hale believes the nostalgic ritual of playing records is what appeals to consumers. She also thinks that records sound better than digital music, explaining, “There’s a depth to it. There’s also sometimes you get that flat surface noise the pops and cracks.”

Although vinyls are selling more than CDs, online streaming is still ultimately the most popular way that people listen to music.