'Bizarre high demand' in Longford for CD players, CDs, DVDs and vinyl

Commercial and charity retailers in Longford town have noticed a consistent rise in the demand for non-digital media such as CD players, CDs, vinyl records, record players, radios, DVD players and DVDs. Staff of charity shop, Mary’s Meals, have long noticed a growing increase in the number of customers buying CDs, vinyls and DVDs. 

Commercial retailer Denniston's in Longford town also spotted the resurgence of interest in media from the 80s and 90s.  

Speaking to the Longford Leader, Denniston's retail assistant, Lorcan Taylor, says the demand is especially high among the younger generation who are buying everything from 2Pac to Amble on CDs and vinyl. 

“Everybody wants physical media nowadays,” says Lorcan. “With digital media, the younger kids are getting sick of having to play ads between their songs and things like that.” 

The drive for physical media could be attributed to the main advantage it has over digital, namely that of ownership. Once a streaming platform removes a song, series or movie, it’s gone, whereas if you own the physical version, its yours forever. 

Lorcan agrees. “There’s been an influx of people wanting CDs. Kingfishr and Amble especially, have really been increasing their sales with CDs. We even find it difficult to get them because they’re usually sold out. People really just want their own copy of something now.” 

The demand for CDs has also seen a return in the need for CD players. 

“CD players have been flying off the shelves,” explains Lorcan. “Sometimes when people see a CD player, they'll get it because they have a big collection of music CDs at home they want to enjoy again. Because everybody’s back buying CDs again, many want their own CD player for Christmas. They’ve been selling very well at the moment. Record players too.” 

He adds, “With vinyl records, people are going for a lot of metal, rock & roll, and heavy metal, and a good bit of rap as well. Korn, 2Pac and Biggie on vinyl are all selling very well because the younger crowd are getting into those. Taylor Swift’s vinyls would also be popular. Amble and Kingfishr too.”

Lorcan says battery operated radios have also made a big comeback, particularly since Storm Éowyn and the spate of power outages in its aftermath earlier this year. Overall however, its CDs and vinyl in the spotlight of demand.

Denniston's owner Samuel Champ, son of Denise Denniston and fourth generation to run the business, said the resurgence in the popularity of vinyl has been consistent for the last year, while CDs are a more recent boom.

“Last Christmas was the first with record players and vinyls, but it's just grown since,” Sam explains. “The younger generation are also buying CDs now. They’re starting to buy music by bands like Nirvana, which is really great.”  

He adds, “The golden oldies always sell the best. Fleetwood Mac, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, stuff like that, are still the breadwinners. CDs are also a bit more affordable than vinyl so they'd be more popular with the younger generation.”

In terms of DVDs, Sam has noticed a demand for music DVDs but says in general streaming has taken away the need for DVDs. He adds with a laugh, “They say if you live long enough though, you'll see everything come back anyway, so flares and bell bottoms may be next!”

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