07/21/2026
Compact discs are making an unexpected comeback, with Gen Z fueling a surge in sales despite many younger buyers not owning a CD player. New industry data shows that CDs are now growing faster than vinyl, highlighting a broader revival of physical music formats.
The figures come from Luminate’s 2026 Midyear Report, which found that CD sales climbed 16 percent during the first half of 2026, reaching 16.3 million units. By comparison, vinyl sales increased just 2.4 percent over the same period. While K-Pop has played a major role in the trend, CD sales still rose 6.7 percent year over year even after excluding the genre from the data.
One of the biggest contributors was BTS, whose 10th studio album ARIRANG became one of the year’s top-selling CDs. Other K-Pop groups, including ENHYPEN and ATEEZ, also boosted sales through deluxe packaging, collectible photo cards, and retailer-exclusive editions that appeal to dedicated fans.