John Lewis teams up with Rough Trade for vinyl records launch

Rough Trade said it had created a “carefully selected, curated selection of old and modern classics” for John Lewis customers, with albums ranging from Marvin Gaye, Nirvana and Radiohead to contemporary artists such as Chappell Roan and Fontaines DC.

The tie-up comes after the department store reported increasing demand for record players and turntables – with sales of such equipment up 17% from five years ago.

The tie-up comes as vinyl sales continues to enjoy a resurgence after a strong couple of years.

In October, WHSmith started selling vinyl records again at 80 of its stores in response to growing customer demand. WHSmith had first sold records in the 1950s but had phased them out over 30 years ago as CDs became popular.

The surge in vinyl’s popularity has also been central to the resurgence of HMV, which reported soaring profits last year after it put selling records at the heart of its strategy.

John Lewis buyer Jason Billings-Cray said: “We’re excited to be part of the vinyl revival, partnering with Rough Trade to bring vinyl records back to our stores. It’s clear that there is a strong market for the format with both our turntable range and sales up considerably in recent years. We’re confident that this new album assortment will be a smash hit with our customers.”

Lawrence Montgomery, managing director at Rough Trade, added: “At Rough Trade, we’ve been so thrilled to see the growing appreciation for physical music among a diverse audience of music fans.

“Vinyl buyers are embracing a wide range of genres and styles, reflecting an exciting enthusiasm for discovery. Importantly, the vinyl resurgence continues to deepen the connection between artists and fans, offering a tangible and meaningful way to celebrate the music they love. We look forward to sharing this vibrant culture with John Lewis customers.”