Physical Music Booms Again: Surprising New Data on Vinyl & CDs

Although vinyl often steals the headlines, CDs have only slightly declined in sales—about 1–2% year over year. In fact, I believe we may see CDs stabilize and even begin to climb again.

Why CDs remain attractive: affordability, reliability, and convenience. You don’t have to worry about surface noise, dust, or potential warping. You simply pop the disc in and press play.
Many music fans, myself included, enjoy streaming for discovery but still prefer owning a CD—or vinyl—of the music that truly resonates with us.
6. Embracing the Full Music Experience
Physical formats offer something digital streams can’t replicate: tangible ownership. Holding an album in your hands, flipping through artwork, reading liner notes—these elements create an intimate connection with the artist and the music.

Impulse Buys & Community: Local shops offer a social experience, too. You might enter without a plan and leave with a few unexpected finds after chatting with fellow music lovers.
Investing in Quality: Pressing plants and the quality of vinyl are becoming more critical. Some collectors can pinpoint the pressing plant for a given album and know instantly whether it’s a solid buy or risky.

Thank you for all of your support
Phil