the vinyl market | France

1.1 Definition and scope of the study

The first vinyl records were released in 1948. Long put aside with the appearance of CDs, the vinyl market is now back to its former growth. In fact, according to a study by the SNEP (Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique), vinyl record sales worldwide increased by 6% in 2018 compared to 2017. In France, the market has seen a 5-fold increase in sales over the past five years

Also known as a microgroove record, "galette" or black record, it is a sound recording medium. It is composed of two engraved sides. Each side has a microscopic 'spiral' groove that starts on the outside and ends in the centre of the record. The vinyl record is generally black, but there are coloured (green, red, white, blue, ...) or transparent records. Some even have a picture incorporated on one or both sides: these are picture-discs. It is intended to be played on a turntable or an electrophone.

Another study conducted by the SNEP shows that two-thirds of LP and 45 rpm buyers are under 50. In total, almost half of vinyl sales are generated by people under 30. The vinyl market is thus increasingly attracting a new audience, which did not experience the first wave of vinyl: the Millenials.

More than a fashion effect, the vinyl revival is gaining momentum, as shown by the multiplication of fairs, exchange blogs and collectors' forums in France. The vinyl record market is now enabling physical music distributors to compete with the major online streaming platforms

This study focuses mainly on the market for 33 and 45 rpm records.