CD sales make a comeback as Jul and K-pop drive physical music boom
Physical music sales are continuing to grow in France, with CDs seeing renewed popularity among younger listeners and fans of rap and K-pop.
Physical music sales are continuing to rise in France, with CDs experiencing a renewed boost thanks to younger audiences and genres such as rap and K-pop.
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The latest release from Marseille rapper Jul has highlighted the trend, selling around 33,000 copies in its first week.
His albums are widely available on CD, unlike vinyl editions, which are often harder to find.
According to France’s SNEP, nearly eight million CDs were sold in 2025, marking a second consecutive year of growth in the physical music market.
The revival is being driven in part by 15–34-year-olds, who are increasingly attracted to CDs as collectible items, particularly in the K-pop scene where limited editions often include photo books and posters.
Industry observers say the CD is evolving beyond a simple listening format, becoming a fan-driven collectible - similar in appeal to vinyl - as listeners look for more tangible ways to connect with their favourite artists.