Vinyl Stocked in Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s are the latest supermarket to jump on the vinyl train, with the announcement that it will stock the format for the first time since the 1980’s.

The range, launching in store on March 21st, will apparently include a mix of contemporary and classic records including rare classics such as The Beatles’ Abbey Road, Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours and Back to Black by Amy Winehouse and various Bowie albums, with records priced between £12 – £20. To support the launch, a Crosley Cruiser Turntable will also be available in store for £80, presumably aimed at middle-aged men experiencing a nervous breakdown in the middle of the weekly shop.

Pete Selby, Sainsbury’s head of music and books said: “There is an enduring love for this format with music fans and we’re delighted to offer an ongoing selection of titles for everyone, from contemporary releases to much-loved classics. Our customers have rich, varied tastes and our range will naturally reflect this”.

Selby added: “We don’t see this as a novelty gifting fad but a complimentary part of our existing music offer with a long term future in our stores. Vinyl is definitely experiencing a revival with demand growing stronger year on year. It is our aim to make the vinyl experience easy and pleasurable for our customers who are ready to re-engage with a format that resonates with them on an emotional level”.

All of which leaves The Gen to ponder some questions during a long, dark night of the soul: Despite the resurgence of the format is vinyl really at the stage of attracting a casual audience? Is this a bit like when your parents join Facebook and will it result in an exodus from vinyl purchasing of young cool things across the land? Last but not least- who on earth is going to go record shopping in Sainsbury’s? See you in the vinyl aisle.