UK vinyl sales hit 18-year high as record shops surge back to the High Street

UK vinyl sales have reached their highest level in 18 years, according to a new report published by the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), signaling a strong resurgence for physical music retail across the country.

The report reveals that record shops are steadily increasing their market share, driven largely by the continued popularity of vinyl among younger buyers. Although online purchases and home delivery still account for the majority of sales, 41.2% of all physical records are now sold in-store, marking a significant rise from 31.7% in 2021. Over the same period, physical stores have also expanded their share of total UK music sales from 4.8% to 6.2%.

This renewed interest has driven real growth on the High Street. HMV, the UK’s only national music retailer, expanded its footprint to around 120 stores, marking a strong recovery after the company exited administration in 2019. Meanwhile, independent record shops continue to thrive, as owners opened 28 new stores in 2025, bringing the national total to 499 locations.

ERA CEO Kim Bayley attributed the revival to the unique in-person experience offered by record stores. “Record shops are proving they can compete and prosper by doubling down on vinyl and by attracting a new generation of buyers drawn to the in-real-life experience,” she explained, noting that stores hosted around 4,000 live performances last year.

However, Bayley warned that rising business rates and operating costs could threaten the sector’s momentum, potentially reversing the progress record stores have achieved in recent years.

Beyond music retail, the broader entertainment sector, including music, video and gaming, grew 7.1% in 2025, outperforming spending on alcohol, gambling and eating out.