Sainsbury’s has announced that it is to stock vinyl records in its stores for the first time since the 1980s.
From Monday, March 21st, the supermarket chain will reintroduce a limited range of records by legendary artists such as David Bowie and Led Zeppelin, alongside efforts from bestselling contemporary artists such as Adele and Amy Winehouse.
With demand for vinyl growing by over 60% in 2015, supermarkets are rapidly realizing that the demand for the resurgent format is showing no signs of fading away. The move from Sainsbury’s to reintroduce vinyl to 171 of its stores follows a similar move from Tesco in the autumn of last year.
Pete Selby, Sainsbury’s Head of Music and Books said: “There is an enduring love for this format with music fans and we’re delighted to offer an ongoing selection of titles for everyone, from contemporary releases to much-loved classics. Our customers have rich, varied tastes and our range will naturally reflect this.”
Increased support from major retailers can be seen as a major coup for the industry, adding to the already blossoming scene in Brighton. Among the local stores set to benefit from the increased awareness and enthusiasm for records are Resident and Rarekind Records, both in the North Laine district, as well as Cult Hero on North Street, amongst many more dotted around the city.
The aforementioned stores are also set to take part in the ninth annual Record Store Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the culture of independent record stores and bringing music lovers together. This year features a huge number of special edition releases with everyone from Alan Partridge to The Zombies getting involved.
The move from Sainsbury’s sees the retailer secure the greatest number of vinyl outlets on the high street for a single retailer. To support the launch, the supermarket will begin to offer a Crosley Cruiser Turntable in store. In Brighton, it can be seen as another victory for the bustling community of vinyl enthusiasts, as the format becomes ever more widely available throughout the city.
Record Store Day 2016 takes place on April 16th.
