Department store John Lewis is to stock a range of classic LPs this Christmas, after official data revealed a sharp increase in sales of vinyl albums.
The chain will offer a range of 20 selected albums, each of which will come with a CD and a specially-designed ‘play and display’ frames allowing users to hang the albums on the walls of their home. According to the Official Charts Company, sales of vinyl records are up by 40 per cent year-on-year in 2011.
The range of LPs stocked will include Blue Lines by Massive Attack, Nirvana’s multimillion-selling 1991 release Nevermind and The Specials’ self-titled album from 1979. Pixies’ 1988 debut Surfer Rosa and 1967’s The Velvet Underground & Nico will also be on sale at John Lewis outlets, as will more recent hits such as Lady Gaga’s The Fame and Lungs by Florence & the Machine.
“The play and display flip frame is real innovation. I love the idea of our customers being able to easily display their best-loved album covers and turning them into art,” said Paul Deckland, buyer of wall décor at John Lewis. “We have tried to stretch the boundaries a little with our titles, mixing the newer mega artists with real must-have classics.”
John Lewis recently announced plans to offer free Wi-Fi connectivity at its shops, following a similar move by Tesco.
