Target may follow suit.
According to Billboard, Best Buy has plans to stop selling CD’s July 1st of this year. This may come as something of a shock, as the retailer had previously been one of the biggest retail music sellers. And Target may have plans to do the same; they have reportedly been asking music suppliers that they want to sell physical media on a consignment basis, with the suppliers buying back unsold stock at cost.
Sales of CD’s have been flagging for a while now, so it might not seem to be a big deal. Especially as music streaming services and the resurgence of vinyl have taken root. Nonetheless there are people not happy with the decision, and it’s not exactly hard to see why. CD’s still have the highest quality of recording of the lot, and not everyone has the sort of internet connection that makes streaming completely practical.
Starting July 1st Best Buy isn't going to be selling CDs anymore. I feel a bit betrayed.
— Emmy (@YCemmy96) February 3, 2018
This makes me so sad. To think back even 10 yrs, seems unimaginable that of all places Best Buy would pull them. The art & insert, that joy you would get, you're right the net has destroyed that. There's better sound quality w/them vs digital imo too.
— SinglePayer (@litsa1020) February 4, 2018
Best Buy isn’t selling CDs anymore after July 1st. I’m more upset about this than I should be
— Matt Bieniek (@matt_bieniek) February 3, 2018
So where are we going to get or deluxe albums from ? 😢😢😢
— JayB (@Royaljayyy) February 3, 2018
On the plus side, you’ll probably still be able to buy albums on demand, assuming you don’t mind paying for shipping. Still, gone, it seems, are the days where you could just walk around a store and discover new music, and the tactile feeling of holding it before you buy it. Still it’s not much of a surprise; both Best Buy and Target’s music sections have been shrinking for some time.