The physical music market, comprising vinyl and CD sales, accounts for only five percent of the total music market today. Vinyl dominates this segment, making up about 60% of physical sales, while CDs constitute the remaining 40%. Despite the overall small share, CD sales have seen an upturn in recent years, indicating a resurgence in physical formats.
On Record Store Day, record stores are filled with newly pressed records by popular artists to attract both old and new customers, with many of these records later available online for those unable to visit stores. According to SVT Örebro, Pontus Stålberg described that there can be a small rush already in the morning when stores open, and he noted they received roughly the records they wanted, though not everything is enough for everyone. Record stores have become fewer as music consumers stream more music, with the exact number of operating stores in Örebro or Sweden unknown.
There can be a small rush already in the morning when we open.
Prices on vinyl records have risen significantly, which Pontus Stålberg identified as the biggest change in his twenty-year career as a record dealer. According to SVT Örebro, he described that the most expensive record he sold was by a free jazz group and cost 22,000 kronor, attributing price increases to people rebuying old records they had discarded. Additionally, he noted that prices on other formats have not skyrocketed as much, making them more attractive to younger customers building collections.
According to SVT Örebro, Thomas Madsen described that there is something special about a vinyl, with the cover and often lyrics, highlighting the appeal of physical media. The total number of records released exclusively for Record Store Day this year, along with specific titles received by Stålberg, remains unclear.
We have gotten roughly the records we wanted. You can order the titles you want but not everything is enough for everyone.
The most expensive record I sold was by a free jazz group. It cost 22,000 kronor. I think many threw away their old records that they buy again. That may have contributed to prices going up.
There, prices have not skyrocketed as much. That makes them more attractive to younger customers who want to build a collection.
There is something special about a vinyl, with the cover and often lyrics.