The vinyl market - France

The global vinyl market has experienced a resurgence, particularly from 2020 onwards, becoming a significant segment in the music industry's physical sales. In 2022, the market was valued at approximately 1.7 billion euros and is projected to reach 2.8 billion euros by 2028, expanding at an average annual growth rate of 8.7%. This growth is highlighted by the significant increase in vinyl sales from 24.1 million units in 2020 to 41.6 million in 2022, marking a 470% rise with the younger demographic under 35 accounting for 59% of vinyl buyers. Online platforms have contributed to this surge, with online vinyl sales on Discogs, for example, jumping 40.75% in 2020, leading to 11.9 million vinyl discs sold on the platform alone. Despite the digital shift, this growing vinyl demand has fostered a renewed interest in physical music formats, evidenced by the solid performance of vinyl in contrast to the overall decline of physical media sales.

Revitalization of the French Vinyl Market: A Blend of Nostalgia and New Trends

The French vinyl market is a symbolic testament to the enduring allure of physical music formats amidst the digital age's predominance. After facing a period of decline due to the advent of digital media, vinyl records have made a remarkable comeback, signaling a resurgence of interest in this classic medium. The period of 2022 witnessed a significant increase in vinyl sales, with volumes soaring from between 0.5 and 1 million to between 5 and 6 million – an impressive growth of approximately 670%. In monetary terms, this revival is just as striking: sales jumped from around €10 million to nearly €90 million, a surge nearing 800%. This renewed enthusiasm for vinyl is not confined to France alone; it is echoed globally with the market value estimated to be around €1.7 billion in 2022, and expected to rise at an average annual growth rate of 8.7%, potentially reaching around €2.8 billion by 2028.

A closer look at the demographic of vinyl enthusiasts reveals that younger audiences, especially those under 35, appear to be driving this movement. Remarkably, nearly 60% of vinyl buyers are from this age group, revealing a trend that transcends mere nostalgia and reflects a vintage appeal that resonates with the youth.

In France, specialized superstores, such as FNAC and Cultura, have been key players in the distribution of vinyl records. These stores have accounted for a significant share of the sales, while independent record stores, though holding a smaller market share, remain important for the niche vinyl market.

With regard to online sales, which are also on the rise, platforms like Discogs have become essential for vinyl transactions on the web, catering to a burgeoning community of collectors and music enthusiasts. The cultural shift towards vinyl also implies a greater engagement with music; those who prefer physical media like vinyl tend to immerse themselves in the music world more deeply than the average listener. They are likely to spend more hours listening to music daily, use a variety of listening mediums, and are more inclined to be musically talented themselves, with a higher proportion of them playing an instrument or singing.

On the manufacturing front, the insatiable demand for vinyl has revitalized production, with leading European manufacturers such as Germany's Optimal Media, the Czech Republic's GZ Media, and particularly France's MPO (Moulages Plastiques de l'Ouest) .

The Vinyl Vanguard: Key Market Players Shaping the Resurgence of the Record

As the vinyl market surges with a renewed zeal for the classic medium, several pivotal players stand at the forefront of this revival. From record companies driving productions to retail giants ensuring widespread availability, to the very manufacturers breathing life back into the physical form of music, these entities form the backbone of the vinyl resurgence.

Record Companies Catalyzing Vinyl's Return

Universal Music, Warner Music France, and Sony Music Entertainment have become linchpins in the vinyl renaissance. These titans of the music industry have not only adapted their rich catalogs for vinyl production but have also engaged in targeted marketing campaigns to encourage consumers to partake in the vinyl experience. Universal Music's "The Vinyl Project" exemplifies such a campaign, aiming to bring rare albums back to the turntable through crowd-funded initiatives. Similarly, Sony, having halted its vinyl operations in 1989, made a strategic return to the vinyl scene as the format gained increased attention from collectors and audiophiles alike.

Retail Empires and the Vinyl Terrain

When it comes to retail, the FNAC Darty Group stands out as a behemoth in the cultural products sector, providing a diverse array of vinyl records alongside the latest technology and gadgets. Boulanger and Cultura also contribute to the ecosystem, ensuring that vinyl enthusiasts have access to both the mainstream and niche segments of the market. These retailers play a critical role not just in sales but also in the promotion of music through vinyl.

Behind the Scenes:

The Vinyl Crafters On the production side, MPO (Moulages Plastiques de l'Ouest) in France commands attention as a significant player. Once relegated to the past, the company has witnessed a dramatic increase in production, reflecting the passionate demand for vinyl records. International manufacturers like GZ Media from the Czech Republic and Optimal Media from Germany demonstrate the global span of vinyl production, with facilities across Europe catering to a market that extends well beyond their borders.

SACEM:

Guardians of Creators' Rights Integral to the vinyl market's infrastructure is the **Société des auteurs, compositeurs et éditeurs de musique (SACEM)**. This organization ensures that the rights of authors, composers, and publishers are protected in this evolving industry. SACEM's meticulous distribution keys for performance and reproduction rights maintain a balance within the market, safeguarding the financial interests

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 11/12/2023

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Trends in the size of the global vinyl market
• Trends in vinyl sales
• Share of music listeners who listened to music on vinyl in the last 12 months, by age
• Percentage of listeners who have listened to music on vinyl in the last 12 months, by socio-professional category
• Device most often used to listen to music
• Breakdown of vinyl buyers by age
• "What are the main reasons why you listen to music on physical media (CDs, vinyl, audio cassettes...)?"
• "What are the main reasons you listen to music on vinyl?"
• "How do you get the vinyl records you listen to?"
• "Where do you buy your vinyl, whether new or used?"
• "What are the main reasons you buy your vinyl online?"
• Physical distribution of recorded music
• Proportion of independent record stores whose main product is vinyl
• Growth in the number of record stores in France
• Vinyl sales in France
• Number of sales on Discogs, by format
• Sales trends for physical and vinyl formats