John Lewis teams up with Rough Trade to introduce vinyl record range

John Lewis has teamed up with Rough Trade to give customers the chance to buy a range of vinyl albums at John Lewis stores and online from later this month.

The retailer said the assortment pays homage to Rough Trade’s past and includes old and modern classics from artists such as Nirvana, Radiohead, Cocteau Twins, Mazzy Star and Marvin Gaye.

As the vinyl revival continues to gain momentum, sales of turntables and record players have risen by 17% over the past five years and the retailer has increased its selection of turntables by 46%. Shoppers can now choose from 20 different models.

Jason Billings-Cray, buyer at John Lewis, 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.”

The vinyl records will be available online at johnlewis.com and in select John Lewis stores, including Peter Jones, Bluewater, Cheadle, and Edinburgh.

Lawrence Montgomery, managing director at Rough Trade added: “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.”