Vinyl revival: Swift sales drive records into inflation basket for first time in 30 years

Vinyl records will be included in UK inflation statistics for the first time since 1992, reflecting their surge in popularity driven partly by artists like Taylor Swift.

The contents of the inflation statistic basket matter because they form the basis for calculating consumer price index, which the Bank of England considers when deciding interest rates.

6.1 million vinyl records were sold in Britain last year, the highest number since 1990, with Taylor Swift's "1989" the top seller.

New items added to the inflation basket like air fryers and gluten-free bread reflect wider adoption of healthier lifestyles and trends.

Hand sanitizer has been removed from the inflation basket given the drop in demand after the pandemic, while sofa beds also fell out due to decreasing popularity.