Vinyl Records Making a Comeback

(ABC 6 News) – Vinyl record collecting is a hobby that’s made a huge comeback in the last three years.

Collector’s from all over gathered at The Little Thistle Saturday afternoon during the Rochester Record Show. Boxes full of some of the greatest albums of all time were on display and sale during the event.

According to a study by the luminate midyear report, record sales have increased 361% since the start of the pandemic.

Rich Franson has been working in the record business for over 20 years. He believes the hobby is making a comeback, mostly do to nostalgia.

“It’s caused a real resurgence. rather than going on Spotify or listening to something that’s been digitally remastered.” Franson said. “They’re getting the original pressing sounds off a piece of vinyl and I think they like that or they wouldn’t be buying it.”

Despite a 29% increase in sales from last year, some people still feel intimated about getting into the hobby.

Franson’s biggest piece of advice for anyone looking to get into record collecting is simple.

Start small.

“You don’t have to spend a whole lot of money, you can go to your local thrift store, garage sale, you can buy from friends.” Franson said. “You don’t have to start very big. Just find what you like and just grow your collection overtime.”

Another reason for the uptick in vinyl record sales comes from main stream retailers like Wal-Mart and Target selling them in their stores and websites. Offering a number of retail exclusives.