In 2025, people bought over 45 million vinyl records, spending over $1 billion in the process. What’s more surprising: a stat from 2022 suggests that 50% of vinyl buyers in the US don’t own a record player. 

To a vinyl collector, this is absurd, and perhaps even heresy. What would a person do with a vinyl record if they don’t plan on playing it?

Participating in music isn’t just about listening to the songs. It’s about connection. When an artist releases music or performs, they make a statement, and in the process they may create an experience that changes a person’s life.

Anyone can access the music today; that’s abundant. Vinyl offers a rare chance to own a tangible, lasting, piece of work to represent that moment; that’s scarce, and tends to become more valuable with time.

Not like a piece of fine art, whether a vinyl gets played until it’s worn out, or remains unopened and framed on the wall, is up to the buyer.

P.S., I recently found out the first thing some visitors want to do after arriving at a Canadian airport is buy an iced cappuccino from Tim Horton’s. No wonder there’s a branded store.