Starbucks To Stop Selling Those CDs Sitting In Front Of The Registers

When grabbing your morning cup of joe at the local Starbucks, you’ve probably noticed a small array of CDs delicately displayed in front of the cash register. Well, soak it up next time, because the ‘Bucks says it’s going to stop pushing Dave Matthews Band, Taylor Swift, holiday compilations and other artists on us while we’re looking for a caffeine boost.

Billboard reports that Starbucks will dispose of its CD stash starting in March.

“Starbucks continually seeks to redefine the experience in our retail stores to meet the evolving needs of our customers,” a representative for the company tells Billboard. “Music will remain a key component of our coffeehouse and retail experience, however we will continue to evolve the format of our music offerings to ensure we’re offering relevant options for our customers.”

Starbucks plans to continue pushing digital music downloads – which are generally available with promotional cards – for the time-being. However, it is unclear how much of a presence the digital offerings will have in stores.

Starbucks began selling music when it acquired music retailer Hear Music back in the late ’90s. The company made the purchase with the aim to compile collections and spur the discovery of new talent.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz said in 2004 that selling CDs in the coffee shops fit the new nature of consumers’ CD shopping habits.

The company also partnered with Concord Music to host exclusive music releases such as the 10th anniversary release of Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill. The special acoustic CD was only available at Starbucks stores.

Back in 2006, Billboard reported that annual album sales for the partnership Hear Music/Starbucks partnership topped 3.6 million units, or $65 million in revenue.

Starbucks to Stop Selling CDs [Billboard]

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