A long-standing mail-order club that famously enticed new members with a deal of 12 CDs for a penny has declared its closure following a 71-year run. Columbia House, which halted music sales and operations in Canada back in 2010, unexpectedly removed the closure announcement from its official website on Tuesday.
Observers within the music community were the first to notice the closure message over the weekend. The notice stated that as of September 15, 2026, Columbia House would cease accepting new orders. Originally launched in 1955 as Columbia Record Club by Columbia Records, the company aimed to reach music enthusiasts in areas lacking access to traditional record stores. Over time, the mail-order business expanded its offerings to include cassettes, CDs, and eventually DVDs of movies and TV series.
The business model of offering multiple music releases for a mere penny through magazine and newspaper inserts attracted a large customer base. By 1994, Columbia House had already shipped over a billion records and accounted for 15% of all CD sales. However, the rise of online music platforms led to a decline in revenue, prompting the company to shift focus to DVD sales exclusively in 2010 while also closing its Canadian operations.
Despite filing for bankruptcy in the United States in 2015, Columbia House continued operating on DVD sales until the recent closure announcement. The company reported its revenue peak in 1996 at approximately $1.4 billion. The news of Columbia House’s closure comes at a time when physical media is experiencing a resurgence, with vinyl sales seeing a significant uptick and record stores reporting increased business in recent years.
The announcement has sparked nostalgia among music fans, with many taking to social media to reminisce about building their music collections through Columbia House’s iconic offers. Some users even joked about past unpaid fees, reflecting on their experiences with the club. CBC News has attempted to reach out to Columbia House for further details following the removal of the closure notice from its website but has yet to receive a response.