It’s a celebration of independence, but not the one on the 4th of July. Launched in 2007, Record Store Day brings together music fans, artists and independent record stores to celebrate indie culture. In 2018, Record Store Day had its best year ever and Bruce Springsteen showed he still is “the Boss,” with his Greatest Hits album leading the Top Record Store Day-Exclusive Albums at Independent Record Stores chart.
Record Store Day marked its 11th year on Saturday, April 21, and retailers sold 733,000 LPs during the week (April 20-26), an all-time high for Record Store Day week, according to Nielsen Music sales data. Music fans bought 580,000 vinyl LPs.
In total, 799,000 albums in all formats sold at independent record stores, the highest non-holiday week sales total in the U.S. since July 2005.
“Record Store Day 2018 reached new highs for independent record stores as a whole, as well as the vinyl format, said David Bakula, SVP Industry Insights, Nielsen Music. “And, the impact of Record Store Day reaches far beyond the stores and vinyl sales—it’s a major factor in the success of the music business overall.”
799,000 albums in all formats sold at independent record stores during the week of Record Store Day
During Record Store day week, total albums sales at independent record stores rose by 200% over the prior week, and total album sales were up 23% over Record Store Day week in 2017. Vinyl LPs were a hot item at independent record stores, as music fans bought 427% more during Record Store Week 2018 than the week prior.
Independent record stores reported 39% of all physical album sales and 79% of vinyl sales in the U.S., an all-time high for Record Store Day week.
Bruce Springsteen’s Greatest Hits, David Bowie’s Welcome to The Blackout (Live in London ’78) and Neil Young’s Tonight’s the Night Live At The Roxy, topped the charts of Top Record Store Day Exclusive Albums at independent record stores.
The Top RSD Exclusive Singles at Independent Record Stores, respectively, were Led Zeppelin’s “Friends” (Rock And Roll), David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance” (full length demo) and Sufjan Stevens’ “Mystery of Love EP.”
