Record Store Day 2026 Sales Were Highest Ever in the UK

The UK celebrated Record Store Day (RSD) on Saturday, April 18, with independent record shops selling limited edition physical releases. Now, in the wake of this latest holiday for crate diggers, the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA), a digital entertainment and retail association, has reported sales were higher than ever.

The numbers:

• Sales were up 25% for RSD 2026 compared to 2025.

• Over 300 independent record stores participated throughout the UK and Ireland.

• There were 500 special edition releases available for purchase around the country.

• Next year will be the 20th anniversary of RSD.

Why it matters:

• Vinyl sales surpassed $1 billion in 2025. Increasing RSD sales signal that the amount will continue to rise.

What they said:

• Kim Bayley, CEO of ERA, which organizes RSD on behalf of independent record shops: “This year’s Record Store Day demonstrated as never before the emerging role of record shops as cultural hubs on the high street, bringing together music fans across generations and breathing new life into town centres. Congratulations to all the shops who took part and thanks to all the artists, labels, sponsors and countless other partners who made it possible.”

• Natasha Youngs, Owner, Resident Music in Brighton: “The Saturday itself beat all previous years in terms of attendance and sales. The RSD weather gods took good care of us again, and the sunshine added to a brilliantly buzzy day of fulfilled wish-lists, shared fandom, laughter, new friendships, live music, artist signings, DJ sets and general good vibes. The days following the event have also been insanely busy, with our highest-ever post-RSD sales in-store. And then the online after-party delivered another bumper boost to sales.”