US CD sales outpace vinyl in first half of 2026

Compact disc sales in the United States grew at a faster rate than vinyl sales for the first time in over a decade during the first half of 2026, according to a new industry report. Data from Luminate's 2026 Midyear Report shows CD sales rose 16% to 16.3 million units from January through June, while vinyl sales grew by 2.4% over the same period.

The surge in CD sales marks a notable shift in the physical music revival, which has been dominated by vinyl's resurgence for nearly two decades. Despite the faster percentage growth, vinyl remains the larger format by total units sold, with 21.8 million albums sold in the first half of the year. Combined sales of all physical formats-vinyl, CDs, and cassettes-reached 38.2 million units, a 7.8% increase year-over-year.

A significant driver of the CD growth is the collectible culture surrounding K-pop. Releases from groups like BTS, ENHYPEN, and ATEEZ, which often feature multiple versions with exclusive photo cards, posters, and packaging, accounted for roughly 10% of the entire U.S. CD market. BTS's album "Arirang" sold approximately 567,000 CD copies in the United States through the first 26 weeks of the year. However, Luminate's...