🎶CD Sales Surge 16%, Outpacing Vinyl's Growth

CDs are back, and vinyl isn't even close

CD sales have seen a massive surge, increasing by 16% during the first half of 2026 according to Luminate's report. This growth is particularly noteworthy as it outpaces vinyl's 2.4% increase. Gen Z listeners are increasingly drawn to music from the '90s and earlier, driving nostalgia-fueled physical media sales. Indie record stores remain a major player in this trend, but mass-market retailers like Target and Walmart have also seen significant gains, capturing nearly 30% of the market.