Hey Everyone,

Well, the reports are in, and it seems that Record Store Day 2026 was another one for the books! Looking at the footage over the weekend, the lines tell the story. Vinyl lives on. I think one of my favorite shots comes from Cactus in Houston, TX - the little girl proudly holding her K-Pop Demon Hunter LPs…and just like that, a new vinyl collector is born.

I know there were many similar stories, new humans getting their first records ever. There is a common icebreaker in our circles, the always fun “What was the first album you ever bought?” A way to establish your cred even from an early age, or to show how far you have come since then… either way, it is usually a fond memory in most music fans' hearts. So, here is to all the people helping to create those memories!

With that said, as the vinyl business and vinyl community continue to grow, let’s all continue to do the work where necessary to hit the numbers right. It is a difficult task, one that would at times be easier if we had even a collective crystal ball, but a point that is still important to stress. This is and has always been a day created to celebrate the indie record stores and their communities, and one of our most important goals is helping foster the new wave of music fans and doing everything in our power to create that positive first experience.

It is a tough job, so kudos to everyone who touches this day and makes it possible.

Here are some images from the day, as well as the charts.

Andrea

Andrea Paschal
Executive Director
Coalition of Independent Music Stores
ThinkIndie Distribution
3738 4th Terrace North
Birmingham, AL 35222
Phone: 205.595.1932 x.208
Fax: 205.595.1938
Email : andrea@cimsmusic.com
cimsmusic.com
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