Vinyl to return to WH Smith stores for first time for more than 30 years

High street retailer WH Smith is bringing back vinyl records for the first time for more than 30 years across a raft of stores nationwide.

The chain said it will stock vinyl in 80 high street shops as it looks to capitalise on its surging popularity among a new generation of music fans.

Sales of vinyl jumped 11.7% to nearly six million in 2023, rising for the 16th year running, according to data from the British Phonographic Industry.

Emma Smyth, commercial director of WH Smith’s high street operations, said: “I’m sure there are many customers out there who remember spending hours in record shops browsing the latest vinyl LPs and the artistic record covers.

Stores in locations that will stock vinyl include Canterbury, Chester, Edinburgh Gyle and York, the group said.

WH Smith first began selling vinyl albums in the 1950s, with records becoming a key product category for the retailer.

But the group stopped selling them in the 1990s after their popularity waned because of the introduction of CDs.

The move is the latest by WH Smith to boost its ranges and re-energise its store estate, after it launched plans to open Toys ‘R’ Us concessions within 76 stores by the end of the year, bringing back the retail brand to the high street.