CD Sales Experience a Surprising Resurgence Amidst a Retro Tech Revival

Retro technology is experiencing a resurgence, and recently, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) quantified this trend regarding music consumption. In an unexpected twist, the organization revealed that CDs — those shiny, round discs that were thought to be obsolete due to Spotify — are seeing a revival.

The latest report from the RIAA indicates that CDs generated $171.1 million in revenue during the first half of 2026, marking a 58.6% increase from approximately $107.9 million in the same period of 2025, with 17.5 million units sold—up 45.7% from about 12 million units the previous year.

This resurgence is particularly intriguing considering the challenges faced in 2025. The full-year report from last year revealed that CD revenue had decreased by 7.8%, dropping from $338.9 million in 2024 to $312.4 million in 2025, while units sold fell by 11.6%, from 33.3 million to 29.5 million.

The increase occurs amid a growing fascination with simpler technologies, such as “dumbphones,” digital cameras, typewriters, landlines, and physical media like CDs and vinyl. For many in Gen Z, the interest in these devices reflects a longing for a tech era they missed—one where they had greater control over their interaction with technology and less intrusion from notifications, addictive applications, and algorithms.

Numerous startups are entering this market, including landline manufacturers like Tin Can, Ooma, and Pinwheel, as well as non-smartphones from companies like Light, Dumb Co, Minimal, and the upcoming BlackBerry-like Clicks. Meanwhile, Gen Z shoppers are actively seeking vintage gadgets at thrift shops or on retro tech platforms like eBay or Retrospekt.

It’s worth noting that the trend could be more significant than the RIAA’s figures suggest, as they exclude used CD sales, such as those purchased from thrift bins or garage sales, and do not factor in the number of CDs passed down from Gen X parents to their children.

However, one caveat must be mentioned regarding this trend.

In 2025, the RIAA modified its calculation method for revenue figures, transitioning from estimated retail values to wholesale values. Consequently, the revenue figures for 2024 and 2025 aren’t directly comparable. Nonetheless, unit sales—unaffected by this adjustment—continue to narrate the same fundamental trend: 29.5 million CDs sold in 2025, down from 33.3 million in 2024, indicating that CDs were still on the decline before this year’s unexpected upswing.

Vinyl sales are also on the rise. In fact, revenue from physical media in the first half of 2026 soared by 25.9% to $731.5 million, propelled not only by the 58.6% increase in CD revenue but also by a 17.7% uptick in vinyl sales.