First came own-brand cornflakes and baked beans. Now Sainsbury’s is selling its own vinyl albums.
Two 20-track compilation records go on sale in 163 stores tomorrow with more titles due next year.
Coming into Los Angeles (A Taste of West Coast) features classics including songs by Love, The Monkees and Buffalo Springfield.
Hi Fidelity (A Taste Of Stereo Sound) features tracks by Roxy Music, John Martyn and Elton John.
The supermarket has released two compilation albums in partnership with music producer Bob Stanley of indie band Saint Etienne
The supermarket has made the move after vinyl sales in the UK increased by 53 per cent last year as hipsters and dance DJs lead a revival.
Records now outsell CDs although are still dwarfed by downloads.
Sainsbury’s began selling vinyl in March 2016 and has sold more than 120,000 vinyl albums in the year to date, accounting for 5 per cent of the total UK market.
The records were put together by music producer Bob Stanley of indie band Saint Etienne.
Pete Selby, Sainsbury’s head of music and books said: ‘The love for vinyl shows no sign of abating either within the market or with our customers – it’s no longer viewed as something on the fringes but as an established physical format that sits comfortably alongside the rest of our music proposition in store.
‘As such, it feels like the perfect time to launch our own exclusive range, tailored specifically towards the inquisitive, cultured tastes of our customers.
Sainsbury’s began selling vinyl in March 2016 and has sold more than 120,000 vinyl albums in the last year, accounting for 5 per cent of the total UK market. Pictured: A store selling records
‘Having Bob on board to manage and compile the series has been a real coup. Across several disciplines, be it lauded music writing, releasing acclaimed pop records with Saint Etienne or curating fascinating compilation CDs, he has always combined unabashed populism with an eye for supporting artists and albums ripe for wider discovery.
‘He brings an authority to any project he is involved in and yet, crucially, also recognises the importance of keeping vinyl accessible for as many people as possible.’
‘Growing up, one thing I loved about the record shopping experience was the number of high street shops where you could buy new releases – not only Virgin or Our Price but Woolworths, Boots, WHSmiths.
‘The opportunity to put new compilations in branches of Sainsbury’s was irresistible to me, especially given the company’s history of beautiful design and packaging. Having access to the Sainsbury’s design archive to create the artwork was the cherry on the cake.’