Author Archives: TVD HQ

Vinyl Sales Have Plummeted 33% Year Over Year—What’s Going On? After more than a decade of rising sales for the vinyl format, sales have fallen off a cliff this year with an estimated plummet of more than 30% year-over-year. What’s going on? Luminate data reveals a 33.3% drop in vinyl sales for the year 2024 compared to 2023. That’s a drop from 34.9 million units in 2023 to just 23.3 million sold in 2024. Luminate data for other formats reveal this isn’t a vinyl-only problem, either. CD sales have fallen 19.5%, while sales of digital albums have dropped 8.3%. Album sales across all formats have dropped 23.8% year-over-year—dropping from 75.5M sold in 2023 to just 57.5M sold in 2024. …Vinyl fatigue may also be a factor for some consumers. For example, Taylor Swift has released 34 variants of The Tortured Poets Department, each with exclusive tracks, album art, or acoustic versions of songs. The intent there is to get superfans to collect all of these vinyl releases to complete their collection—but fans may be getting burned out on re-purchasing a vinyl album at $50 a pop for a single bonus track.

Forest Park, IL | Old School Records survives at the last minute: But streaming services’ threat to music stores remains. For a brief time this fall, a sign reading “lost my lease” was posted outside of Old School Records, a Forest Park staple that has been in business for more than 21 years. Peter Gianakopoulos, the owner, put up the sign when he fell behind on his rent for the months of August and September after a “very tough year” for the store. The store managed to survive, and the sign has since been removed from the facade of Old School Records. But that, Gianakopoulos said, doesn’t change the challenges that record stores are facing locally and indeed across the world. He said that music streaming services is the main culprit. During his more than two decades as a business owner, Gianakopoulos has noticed many ups and downs in the business of selling records. …In spite of this adversity, Gianakopoulos said, record stores have persevered thanks to dedicated customers, a revival of vinyl in popular cultures and, perhaps most notably, the sense of community that the stores offer.

Kansas City, MO | KC staple counterculture shop 7th Heaven set to close after 50 years: After serving the Kansas City community for half a century, record store 7th Heaven has announced that it will be closing its doors by the end of the year. On Sept. 30, store manager Sebastian Gonzales took to 7th Heaven’s Instagram to confirm the end of an era. Customers expressed their grief in the comment section, while also sharing their favorite memories at the shop, and wishing the owner Jan Fichman a happy retirement. “There’s been an intense, outpouring of grief from the community,” Gonzales says. “Everyone I’ve talked to has said that this is the first record store they ever went to, or they bought their first bong here. We hear these fantastic stories, and people are coming in and stocking up.” Fichman opened 7th Heaven in 1974, where it debuted in a former Taco Via at 7653 Troost Ave before relocating to its current location down the street.

Kelowna, BC | A decade living a childhood dream: Vernon record store owner calls it a day: Growing up as a child in the 1960s, Kelvin Forgo’s home was full of music. His mother was a huge Elvis fan and the house echoed with 1950s rock and roll, played on 7-inch records, on what he calls a “kick-ass” tube console stereo. …Fast forward 40 years and Forgo found himself working part-time in a used record in Vernon, playing vinyl and trying to wind down from his full-time job as an armed security van driver. It was only when the shop’s owner decided to pull the plug on the business that Forgo’s brother gave him some advice. “He bought a little… sprint race car. And he says, ‘Let’s go sprint car racing, and you can own a record shop,'” Forgo said. “And I’m like, what? Where did this come from… (but) that is what ended up happening.” While owning a record store had been a fantasy in the back of his mind since childhood, both brothers—now in their 50s—decided to make their boyhood dreams a reality.

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Vinyl Sales Have Dropped 33% in 2024: Record sales dropped from 34.9 million units sold in 2023 to just 23.3 million in 2024. After vinyl sales saw a significant rise earlier in the decade decade, Billboard’s latest music consumption report reveals a 33% decline in record sales this year. Compared to last year’s music consumption data, vinyl sales fell from 34.9 million units in 2023 to just 23.3 million in 2024. It’s not just vinyl either: CDs and digital album sales also dropped in 2024, with CDs falling 19.5% and digital albums down by 8.3% from where they were in 2023. All told, album sales across the board are down by 23%, decreasing from 75.5 million units sold in 2023 to 57.5 million units in 2024. There have been some notable increases from last year: for one, vinyl is still outpacing CDs, so the revival of collecting and spinning records hasn’t died out completely.

Los Angeles, CA | Revival of L.A. record store Licorice Pizza serves a slice of vinyl nostalgia: As a teen growing up in Orange County in the early ‘80s, Kerry Brown’s immediate career goal was simple. He wanted to work at his favorite record store, Licorice Pizza. Years later, Brown would embark on life as a musician and busy producer-engineer, working on records by the Smashing Pumpkins, Afghan Whigs, Miley Cyrus and his own indie rock band Catherine, but a stint behind the counter always eluded him. As he says now with a shrug, “I was never cool enough to work at a record store.” Even so, he spent many days at his local Licorice Pizza, strolling the aisles, hanging out with friends, and settling into the couch to listen to whatever disc was spinning on the turntable. Brown once spent a night sleeping outside the store waiting for the 1983 release of David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.”

Tacoma, WA | New business in Tacoma becomes one stop shop for books, thrift and records: The business owners of Last Letter Books, Persona Thrift and Janku Land hope to create unique and specially curated stock not available elsewhere in the city. On Sept. 27, Last Letter Books and Persona Thrift held their grand opening, moving in with Janku Land Records inside of Tacoma’s old Wonder Bread building at 1720 S. 7th St. Suite 104. Janku Land celebrated their six-year anniversary the same day. …“It is a small space, so I really have to manage it, I do not have any room to have any garbage,” John told the Ledger. “I think the stock is pretty good that I opened with but there is always room for improvement. You just keep chasing your vision of the perfect spot, I want it to be a space that I would want to visit.”

Leeds, UK | Leeds vinyl store Released Records re-opens in Hyde Park Book Club: The shop moved out of its original Corn Exchange location last year due to rising rent and service charges. Leeds vinyl shop Released Records, formerly based in the city’s Corn Exchange, has re-opened permanently at local venue Hyde Park Book Club. Since October 6th, the record store has had a selection of genre-spanning £2 LPs and 12-inch records on sale at the new location. (Hyde Park doesn’t presently have the space for Released to show its full collection). Released plans to start hosting a monthly event where guest DJs play a selection of records for sale, with more partnerships and a record fair TBA. First opened in 2017, Released moved out of the Corn Exchange last year due to rising rent and service charges, among other factors. Prior to setting up shop at Hyde Park Book Club, the store had been selling exclusively online.

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The Vinyl Revival: Why Gen X and Z are driving the trend: …Aged 16 to 25, Generation Z grew up in a world where music was instantly accessible via streaming platforms. Yet, despite the ease of digital access, many in this group report feeling disconnected from the music they consume online. Vinyl offers a way to build a more meaningful relationship with the music they love, allowing them to physically own and engage with their favourite albums. For these younger listeners, vinyl is more than just a medium for music — it’s a form of self-expression. Limited-edition releases, coloured vinyl, and exclusive albums provide a sense of individuality. The retro appeal of vinyl also resonates with their love for vintage culture, blending old-school style with modern sensibilities.

Makati, PH | One Stop Record Fair spins into September with vinyl and art: Already feeling the cold breeze of “-ber” months? The quarterly music event “One Stop Record Fair 2024: Vinyl x Art” held at Ayala Malls The 30th on September 28 just made the air warmer with the rich sound that only vinyl can offer. From nostalgic collectors to exploring newbies, this gathering attracted music enthusiasts of all ages, scouring a treasure trove of endless music. Sari Osorio, the event organizer, said the occasion went well as usual with collectors flocking Ayala Malls The 30th as early as 10 in the morning. “We kicked off ‘ber’ months by giving them the best and rare vinyl from our featured sellers,” Osorio said. With 30 vinyl vendors offering an impressive array of records across genres, such as rock, jazz, soul, electronic and pop. Vinyl enthusiasts digged through crates filled with rare finds, limited editions and classics that spanned through decades.

Richmond, VA | The Richmond Record Riot! Over 15,000 LPs in one room! Sat October 19th at Stony Point Fashion Park: The Richmond Record RIot! It’s a MASSIVE vinyl record POP-UP sale at Stony Point Fashion Park! Sat October 19th. Over 15,000 vinyl records in ONE ROOM! Great music and family fun. LPs, CDs and 45s. A giant record store lands in Richmond VA! Dealers from far and wide converge for a giant music sale! Sat October 19th at Stony Point Fashion Park! LPs and 45s and CDs too. All types of music from punk to funk to country to classic rock, hip hop, soul/jazz and more. Dust off that turntable and come on down. Regular admission starts at 10 AM ($5) with early admission at 9 AM ($15). Don’t miss the BIG VINYL DIG!

Middletown, CT | WESU FM Brings Music Lovers Together at Fall Record Fair: I find it extremely hard to control myself around large amounts of vinyl records. It’s something about the moment of seeing a record I love, knowing it could be mine to take home and listen to on loudspeakers in the clearest quality possible, to stare at and read and play and replay, to scan for little differences from the version I may know from streaming (happens more than you’d think)…it’s impossible to pass up. As you can imagine, I was thrilled to hear that WESU 88.1 FM, the University’s radio station, would be hosting its annual Fall Record Fair in Fayerweather Hall on Saturday, Oct. 5. WESU Community Volunteer Liaison Chaim O’Brien-Blumenthal explained the process of publicizing the event to get the largest possible turnout from both students and the community.

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5 Unexpected Insights About Vinyl Record Buyers: The return of vinyl records is arguably one of the biggest comeback stories of the 21st-century music world. Just one example is artist Travis Scott, whose vinyl record sales recently pushed his album into first place on the Billboard charts. CivicScience data show that 20% of U.S. adults purchased vinyl records this year alone, up from 14% in 2020 and just 11% in 2015, with Gen Z leading the consumption craze. Nearly 40% of Gen Z adults aged 18-24 report they’ve made a vinyl purchase this year. The format almost went completely extinct with the rise of digital music distribution. Yet now, vinyl records are in the spotlight once more, as music buffs crave the nostalgia, and perhaps the aesthetic, embedded in each fragile disk. As a result, it may come as no surprise that vinyl record buyers display unique consumer habits. Keep reading to see what sets these music fans apart from the rest.

Evanston, IL | New old record store opens downtown: “I’m a Believer.” The sounds of that mid-1960s hit from The Monkees fill the store. But the music is not coming through Spotify, or Apple Music, or any of them newfangled purveyors of pop. Rather, it’s playing the way it was intended … back when Mickey Dolenz and colleagues laid down the tracks in 1966 … on a 33 1/3 rpm record, spinning on a phonograph. “The Monkees Greatest Hits” is one of about 40,000 records (yes, 40,000) that Evanstonian Greg Allen has collected over the years, records which Allen plans to make available at his new shop, Animal Records, which just opened at 624 Grove St. “I always wanted to open a record store,” Allen says, “but like everyone else, I had to earn a living.” But now that his kids are off to college, Allen says “my wife gave me the green light. I gave notice to my employer. I said, ‘hey guys, I’ve got to take this chance.’” Allen, and his sole employee, Aden Levine, are busy filling shelves and racks with all sorts of albums, from all musical genres.

Cottonwood, AZ | The Queen B Vinyl Café (fka Puscifer The Store) to Open in New Location: Previously operating under the name Puscifer The Store, cafe/record shop, The Queen B Vinyl Café, is set to open its (new) doors in Old Town Cottonwood at 102 E. Pima St. on Oct. 23. To celebrate, they present a week of events including comedy from Rory Scovel, a Q&A and book signing by Chet Zar, musical performances from Thou, Galactic Empire, and Night Club, and a special Gospel Brunch with The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers. …“Relocating and renaming Puscifer The Store to Queen B Vinyl Café is about more than just a change of location—it is about seizing new possibilities,” Jennifer Keenan, co-owner of the Queen B Vinyl Cafe. “With our new location, we’re able to bring more live events to the community, while expanding our food offerings with the addition of both a coffee roaster and ramen.”

El Cerrito, CA | Historic Bay Area record store has to pony up millions to stay in business: SFGATE contributor Jessica Lipsky reports on Down Home Music’s efforts to stay in its El Cerrito location. Situated along a mixed-use stretch of restaurants, groceries, housing and bars in El Cerrito, the building at 10341 San Pablo Ave. is something of a museum. Or museums, to be more precise. The two-room storefront houses the legendary Down Home Music, a 48-year-old record store dedicated to the sale and preservation of global roots music in its many forms. Upstairs is Les Blank Films, while an annexed home attached to the building is the site of the Arhoolie Foundation and its archive. The unassuming beige facade may not catch the eye of a driver speeding down San Pablo, but the building is an essential archive of art and cultural history. As of Oct. 11, it’s also up for sale.

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Owasso, OK | Store Owners Recover Stolen Records, Suspected Thief Caught On Camera In Owasso: The security footage shows a man walking into Screaming Earth Records in Owasso at 86th Street North and 129th East Avenue and taking several records from their sale bin. Two record store owners are frustrated with a man stealing several dozen records, worth hundreds of dollars and it was all caught on video. The stores did get their records back when the man tried to sell them at another store. The security footage shows a man walking into Screaming Earth Records in Owasso at 86th Street North and 129th East Avenue and taking several records from their sale bin. The store has only been open for a month, so the owners never expected to get hit this soon. “It’s horrible, especially in our case,” said Ben Sloma, the Co-Owner of Screaming Earth Records. “We’re really new, so we’re limited on what we have. Any loss of stock for us is devastating, it’s potential income.”

Carrboro, NC | ‘A big spot in my heart’: All Day Records remains a Carrboro staple for past 14 years: All Day Records, an eclectic record shop in downtown Carrboro, celebrated its 14th birthday on Sept. 29 with performances at the shop by local musicians and DJs. Ethan Clauset and Charlie Hearon founded All Day Records in 2009. They started out by acquiring records at thrift stores and other places to build their collection before they had a storefront. About a year and a half later they opened the store and have been going strong ever since, Clauset said. The store finds its roots in dance music culture, which Clauset has been heavily involved in throughout his life. As an undergraduate at UNC, Clauset worked at student-run radio station WXYC as a DJ. He later found himself spinning discs in the local music scene at house parties and Nightlight, the now-closed club that was owned by All Day.

Kelmscott, AU | Tributes flow for the music man: For forty years Adrian Loos has supplied the soundtrack to people’s lives from his eclectic Kelmscott music store. His shop persevered through each cataclysmic revolution in the music industry in large part due to his business savvy, but also because he offered the kind of old-school customer service that is becoming as rare as the obscure albums he tenaciously hunted down for his customers. And they paid back his effort and kindness in undying loyalty. That community is now mourning the loss of ‘the music man’, after his sudden passing last Tuesday morning. “It’s so sad – he was loved by everybody. And he would do anything for them. He dedicated his life to that shop and to music,” Stargate lotto kiosk owner and friend Effie said. There’s been a relentless stream of customers travelling from all parts of Perth to pay their respects since, and the condolence book out the front of Abbott’s Music Centre is rapidly running out of blank pages—a poignant indicator of the impact both Adrian and his life’s work had on people.

Houston, TX | Best Of Houston 2024: Best Record Store: Cactus Music. If you have lots of concerts on your calendar, you probably also have lots of visits to Cactus Music on your calendar, too. That’s because the venerable Houston record store, which is a multiple Best Of honoree in its category, brings lots of local and touring acts to its in-store stage ahead of larger shows later the same day. For instance, within the last year we’ve been able to joke around with piano man Ben Folds and hear songstress Molly Tuttle deliver a stirring mini-set ahead of their respective concert venue shows. No meet and greet fee, just Cactus opening its doors to the musicians we love and the fans who wish to meet them. Cactus Music does all the other things right, too, of course, offering a wide array of music in the various formats we’ve experienced over the years. There are books and fashion statements and anything else a record aficionado needs to curate an impressive collection.

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