Sales of vinyl set to soar as more than one million LPs are expected to be purchased this Christmas

More than four million vinyl records are expected to be sold this year.

Sales of vinyl are set to soar even further this year, with four million LPs expected to be sold by the end of 2017.

The vinyl revival has been in full swing for over four years, while sales of the format are up a massive 1,472% since 2007.

But new figures revealed by the BPI (based on Official Charts Company data) suggest there will be a particular boost in the run up to Christmas, with one million LPs forecast to be sold in December alone. Ed Sheeran, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Amy Winehouse, Sam Smith, Beatles, Rag’n’Bone Man, George Michael & Guardians of the Galaxy are all proving popular choices.

Just over a quarter of vinyl purchases now typically fall in December (25.8%), while in the week prior to Christmas 2016, an impressive 213,000 records were snapped up.

MORE: The biggest selling vinyl albums and singles of 2017 so far

Phil Barton, owner of Sister Ray, a leading independent record shop in London, said: “Vinyl makes a great gift, especially as it’s perceived as a premium purchase. Not only does the recipient get a great present but the buyer knows their gift will be appreciated and won't be forgotten by Boxing Day. We see a lot of customers intent on buying "the right gift" – buying vinyl means everyone wins.

“As a wide-ranging stockist, we know which titles sell well but at Christmas more expensive, rare items fly out of the door. Demand for top-end vinyl continues to rise and we see no slow-down in people willing to pay a premium for such scarce and collectible items that are also likely to appreciate in value.”

MORE: The contenders for the 2017 Official Christmas Number 1

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, added: "More and more of us have been rediscovering the joys of vinyl as artists and labels release more of their new titles and classic albums in the format.

"The aesthetic appeal of vinyl albums also make them a highly desirable Christmas gift item that friends and family will love to receive. Vinyl is aspirational, collectible and has a high perceived value despite being generally affordable, and this December we’re expecting more than 1 million LPs to be purchased.”

The Official Vinyl Albums and Singles Charts are posted weekly, here on OfficialCharts.com. Check out the latest vinyl albums Top 40 here.

Article image: Rex