Independent record shops see 44% increase in album sales

Plus: David Bowie’s The Next Day tops Official Record Store Chart of 2013 so far.

A new report published today by the Entertainment Retailers Association reveals that independent record shops in the UK saw a 44% increase in album sales during the first half of 2013, compared to the same period last year.

The study, which is based on Official Charts Company sales data, attributes the growth to strong sales of vinyl and the success of Record Store Day, which took place in April.

While independent shops accounted for only 3.2% of the total albums market over the period, they accounted for more than 50% of all vinyl album sales; roughly one in seven albums sold through independent record retailers is on vinyl, compared to the market average of one in 250.

“These first-half sales figures reveal a stunning result for indie record shops,” commented Paul Quirk, chairman of the Entertainment Retailers Association. “Although the odds are stacked against them, indies have fought back. With Record Store Day they have created the first major new UK sales promotion for music in 20 years and as consumers re-waken to the joys of analogue, they have driven the growth of vinyl sales.

“Although only a tiny part of the music market overall, indie stores are driving some of the most exciting new initiatives in music, as well as continuing to support and help break new talent.”

The Entertainment Retailers Association, who help organize Record Store Day, have released a short documentary about Record Store Day 2013. The short 15 minute film captures the real essence of Record Store Day, and features interviews with shoppers as well as guest appearances from some of the artists who had given their time to support Record Store Day, including Paul Weller, Billy Bragg, The Strypes and Frank Turner. Watch it below:

David Bowie’s The Next Day, which peaked at Number 1 on the UK’s Official Albums Chart, was the biggest selling album in independent record shops during the first half of 2013, with indie shops accounting for 5% of the album’s total sales so far. Boards Of Canada’s Tomorrow’s Harvest, Stereophonics’ Graffiti On The Train and Daft Punk’s Random Access memories also feature in the Top 5.

The full Top 20 is as follows:

The Official Record Store Chart Of 2013 So Far

© 2013 The Official Charts Company. All rights reserved.