Gen Z Drives CD Revival at Miami Record Stores
Young shoppers are fueling compact disc sales at Little Haiti's Sweat Records and other Miami stores, choosing the format for affordability and artist support.
Record store owners in Miami are restocking compact discs after years of watching the format collect dust, as Gen Z shoppers drive an unexpected revival of the once-forgotten medium.
At Sweat Records in Little Haiti, owner Lolo Reskin recently built a new fixture dedicated entirely to new CDs after stopping their sale years ago. “Not too long ago, I stopped carrying new CDs and only carried used ones,” Reskin said. “But because there’s a younger generation that keeps coming in and asking for them, I had to order new ones. Supply has to meet demand.”
The trend reflects broader industry data showing physical music sales grew about five percent in 2024, reaching roughly $2 billion in revenue. CDs accounted for more than $500 million of that total, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
U.S. CD album sales increased by nearly 3% in 2023, with more than 36 million units sold, data company Luminate reported. For a format many considered dead, any growth signals a significant shift.
Young customers cite two main reasons for choosing CDs: supporting artists and saving money. “Young people know that artists hardly make any money when it comes to streaming, so they make a conscious decision to purchase either vinyl or CDs because they want to support their favorite artists,” Reskin said. “CDs also cost less than vinyl.”
That price gap matters to budget-conscious collectors. New CDs typically cost around $15, with deluxe editions reaching $21, while vinyl versions of the same album often sell for $40 or more.
“Some kids just don’t have the money to buy elaborate records,” Reskin said. “Some kids want to have a physical music collection.”
The format’s practical advantages also appeal to labels. Unlike vinyl, which requires longer production timelines and more raw materials, CD pressing remains fast and inexpensive. “Vinyl is more artisanal; it takes more time and material to manufacture,” Reskin said. “Record labels never stopped making CDs.”
Sweat Records was named Best Record Store in Miami by Miami New Times in 2024, and the store continues to see growing interest in physical media formats.
While streaming still dominates music industry revenue, CDs have carved out a new niche among young collectors seeking affordable alternatives to vinyl and meaningful connections to their favorite artists.