Vinyl purchases in UK due to overtake CDs for the first time since 1980s

According to the British Phonographic Institution (BPI), UK vinyl spending is due to overtake CDs for the first time since the late 1980s.

It seems that the British public has turned to music due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to high levels in the growth of both vinyl and streaming. Reports suggest that UK recorded music revenue has risen by 3.8% in 2020 to £1.12 billion, the highest it has been in 14 years.

Vinyl sales in the UK rose for the 13th consecutive year by 30.5% to £86.5 million in 2020, as the purchasing of physical formats largely shifted online as a result of lockdowns and restrictions.

In comparison, CDs generated £115 million in 2020, but sales dropped by 18.5%.

According to Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive of BPI, "Vinyl’s exceptional performance despite retail lockdowns confirms its role as a long-term complement to music streaming. 2021 is likely to be the year in which revenues from LPs overtake those from CDs for the first time in well over three decades – since 1987".

Elsewhere, Geoff Taylor commented that "The lockdowns inevitably affected financial results in 2020 but, unlike other parts of our industry which were hit very hard, the seamless connectivity of streaming and the enduring love of vinyl meant that recorded music was relatively insulated from its worst effects, and was still able to post growth."

• Vinyl