Did vinyl sales just hit the proverbial brick wall?

I am very skeptical of the claim that Boomers are disproportionately driving LP sales. According to Billboard, Tyler Swift’s Midnights was the biggest selling vinyl album in 2022 and her re-release of Red took the fifth spot. Here’s the top 10:

1. Midnights (Tyler Swift)
2. Harry’s House (Harry Styles)
3. 30 (Adele)
4. Sour (Olivia Rodrigo)
5. Red (Tyler Swift)
6. good kid, m.A.A.d city (Kendrick Lamar)
7. Rumours (Fleetwood Mac)
8. Abbey Road (The Beatles)
9. Call Me if You Get Lost (Tyler, The Creator)
10. Happier Than Ever (Billie Eilish)

Perhaps I’m mistaken, but I don’t know a lot of Boomer fans of Swift, Styles, Lamar, or Tyler. A google search brings up several other sites that place Wet Leg’s debut at number 6. I hope Boomers enjoy Wet Leg, but from what I know of the band, Boomers aren’t their targeted demographic.

The other reasons for my skepticism are admittedly anecdotal (as is the evidence presented to suggest this is all Boomer-driven). My 18 year old nephew buys LPs and plays them on a cheap turntable (thankfully, not a Crosley, but not much better). He’s into metal core and melodic death metal. I find it interesting that the bands he likes are releasing their albums as LPs. I doubt they’d be doing this if there were not an identifiable market for them. He told me that for him and his friends it’s not about the sound quality. They like having a tangible object. They like the artwork. They like colored vinyl special releases. They like watching the record spin on the platter.

I’m friends with someone who used to own several hi-fi stores, including one in a college town. About 3 or 4 years ago he told me that he had college students coming in weekly in search of a turntable. He started selling entry-level Pro-Jects. He said he couldn’t keep them in stock. His other table brands were VPI and SME.

Vinyl may well never be the dominant format again, but I suspect there will be plenty of vinyl fans and collectors long after the folks who remember seeing The Stones, Zeppelin, or even Fleetwood Mac live in their heyday are long gone.

Exactly why is the article cited by theOP poorly researched?  He shows some data and then admits he is speculating as to the causes.  His speculations sound reasonable and worthy of discussion.  Why do new lps sell for $40?

@mahler123 -audiophile releases are generally $40 and up. They use better vinyl, are better pressed with less pressings per stamper and are typically remastered which takes extra skilled labor. Regular LPs go for $20-30, depending on the label.

my friend @limomangus - CD sales are shrinking. Maybe used prices are making a comeback, but not new ones. In many cases,you can’tgive them away. SACDs are a small niche in that market, and I don’t think their sales are broken out separately. I wouldn’t be surprised if SACD sales are doing much better than standard ones. 

YES ,I Know about the CD market,I was talking about used Cds.I had  one guy giving me  like 100 cds for $10 bucks... lol.

In 1971 I bought my first copy of Sticky Fingers for $2.97.  Adjusted for inflation to 2023, that's $29.33.  Given the heavier quality 180 gram vinyl, the remastering etc... I don't see that $35 - $40 is that big stretch.  I think we get all tied up in what things used to cost.  Stop me before I say "why when I was your age...."  😆