High street retailer WH Smith is reintroducing vinyl records to its shelves for the first time in over three decades.
Looking to tap into vinyl’s recent resurgence, which has captured the attention of a new generation of music enthusiasts, the company plans to roll out an extensive range of vinyl in 80 stores across the nation. This vintage revival draws momentum from chart-topping artists like Taylor Swift, who revealed her 11th studio album, ‘The Tortured Poets Department’, will spin on turntables in vinyl form, and rock legends Oasis, who’ve also dropped their hit compilation ‘The Masterplan’ as a vinyl release.
Record sales have been climbing steadily, with a 11.7% leap to just shy of six million in 2023, marking the 16th consecutive year of growth, according to the British Phonographic Industry. .Emma Smyth, the commercial director for WH Smith’s high street operations, said: “I’m sure there are many customers out there who remember spending hours in record shops browsing the latest vinyl LPs and the artistic record covers.”
She added, “To me it’s no surprise that vinyl is growing in popularity again, and we are very excited to be bringing back record selections to more than 80 different stores across the UK for both seasoned fans and new listeners alike.”
WH Smith, a stalwart in the retail space since the 1950s when it began vending vinyl albums, confirms that its roster of stores, including those in Canterbury, Chester, Edinburgh Gyle, and York, will be among the locales where vinyl aficionados can indulge their passion. WH Smith first began selling vinyl albums in the 1950s, with records becoming a key product category for the retailer.
However, WH Smith ceased selling them in the 1990s when CDs took over. This latest move is part of WH Smith’s strategy to revitalise its stores and expand its product range. The retailer recently announced plans to open Toys ‘R’ Us concessions within 76 stores by year-end, marking the return of the iconic toy brand to the high street.
