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CD Sales See Unexpected Rebound in First Half of 2026, RIAA Reports
Key points
- CD revenue grew 58.6% to $171.1 million in H1 2026.
- CD unit sales increased 45.7% to 17.5 million in H1 2026.
- This follows a 7.8% revenue decline in 2025.
- The trend aligns with a broader interest in retro tech.
CD Sales Rebound in Early 2026
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported a significant increase in CD sales during the first half of 2026. Revenue from CD sales reached $171.1 million, marking a 58.6% rise from $107.9 million in the first half of 2025. Unit sales also saw a substantial jump, with 17.5 million CDs sold, up 45.7% from 12 million units in the same period last year.
Context of Previous Decline
This rebound is notable as it reverses a trend from 2025, when full-year CD revenue fell by 7.8% to $312.4 million from $338.9 million in 2024. Unit sales in 2025 also decreased by 11.6%, from 33.3 million to 29.5 million. The RIAA's reporting method for dollar figures changed in 2025 from estimated retail value to wholesale value, which affects direct revenue comparisons with 2024, but unit sales confirm the prior decline.
Broader Retro Tech Trend
The resurgence in CD sales aligns with a wider trend of renewed consumer interest in simpler, retro technologies. This includes devices such as 'dumbphones,' digital cameras, typewriters, and landlines, as well as other physical media like vinyl records. This trend is partly attributed to Gen Z's interest in experiencing technology from an earlier era, seeking more control over their tech engagement and fewer distractions.
Market Activity and Limitations
Several startups are catering to this demand, offering products like landlines and non-smartphones. Consumers are also acquiring vintage gadgets through thrift stores and online marketplaces. The RIAA's figures do not include sales of used CDs, suggesting the actual scale of the retro CD trend could be larger than reported.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
CD sales revenue increased by 58.6% to $171.1 million in the first half of 2026, with unit sales up 45.7% to 17.5 million, according to the RIAA. This growth follows a decline in 2025 and indicates a broader trend of renewed interest in retro technology and physical media.