CD sales are booming as physical media continues its resurgence

“CD sales in the United States surged 45.7% in the first half of 2026, reaching 17.5 million units and $171.1 million in revenue, according to the RIAA. The jump is largely driven by collectible releases from K‑Pop acts such as BTS, with Gen Z and millennials buying CDs more as memorabilia than for playback. Vinyl and other physical formats also saw double‑digit growth, yet streaming revenue still dwarfs physical sales, growing 4.7% to $4.9 billion. For U.S. consumers, the trend signals a niche but profitable market for limited‑edition releases, while retailers can capitalize on the collectible angle. Expert Analysis: The resurgence of physical media underscores a broader consumer desire for tangible ownership in a digital age, offering record labels a lucrative secondary revenue stream that can offset streaming royalty pressures. If this trend continues, U.S. music distributors may shift more resources toward exclusive, high‑margin physical bundles, potentially reshaping the industry’s revenue mix over the next decade.”