Over two million vinyl LPs were sold last week, making it the biggest vinyl sales week since at least 1991, Billboard reports via MRC Data. The total—2.11 million vinyl albums sold—bested the 1.842 million LPs sold during the week ending December 24, 2020.
It’s been a big year for vinyl sales, which already increased 29.2 percent in 2020, according to the RIAA. Strong vinyl sales in 2021 have been bolstered by marquee albums from Adele, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish. Back in August, Eilish’s Happier Than Ever sold 73,000 vinyl copies in its first week—the second-highest vinyl sales week since at least 1991. Then, in November, Swift’s Red (Taylor’s Version) sold 114,000 vinyl LPs in its first week, setting a new record for the modern era. And, later that month, Adele’s 30 moved 108,000 units, making it the new second-best debut vinyl sales week.
Adele’s 30 has continued to sell well on vinyl, becoming the best-selling vinyl album of the year. 30 was also the top-selling vinyl album during the record-breaking week, moving 59,000 copies, according to Billboard.
Still, while major artists are finding success with vinyl record sales, many smaller artists are struggling to get records pressed in the first place. Read more in “How the Coronavirus Is Affecting America’s Vinyl Record Industry” and “Why Are Independent Artists and Labels Turning Away From Vinyl?” on the Pitch.
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