U.S. Vinyl Album Sales Hit Record High in 2017

According to Billboard and Nielsen Music, vinyl LP sales have reached a record high, accounting for 14 percent of all U.S. physical album sales in 2017, an 11 percent increase from 2016.

Annual vinyl album sales have hit another record high in the Nielsen Music-era (1991-present), as the configuration sold 14.32 million (up nine percent) in 2017. Vinyl LP sales also represented 8.5 percent of all album sales in 2017, a 6.5 percent increase from 2016. Nielsen Music’s 2017 tracking year ran from Dec. 30, 2016 through Dec. 28, 2017.

2017 marks the 12th consecutive year of growth in vinyl album sales. The rise of the format can be partially attributed to big retailers now carrying vinyl records, like Barnes & Noble, Urban Outfitters and even Whole Foods.

Another encouraging fact for vinyl lovers is that vinyl LP sales were driven by a wide range of titles. In total, 77 different titles each sold over 20,000 copies on vinyl LP in 2017, compared to 58 titles in 2016.

Check out the top ten best-selling vinyl LPs of 2017 in the U.S. according to Nielsen Music below, and find out breakdown of last month’s new and notable vinyl releases here.

01. The Beatles, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band
02. The Beatles, Abbey Road
03. Soundtrack, Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1
04. Ed Sheeran, ÷ (Divide)
05. Amy Winehouse, Back to Black
06. Prince and the Revolution, Purple Rain (Soundtrack)
07. Bob Marley and The Wailers, Legend: The Best Of…
08. Pink Floyd, The Dark Side of the Moon
09. Soundtrack, La La Land
10. Michael Jackson, Thriller