Columbia House, a long-standing mail-order club known for its introductory offer of 12 CDs for a penny, has announced its closure after 71 years. The company, which stopped selling music and ceased operations in Canada in 2010, recently removed the closure announcement from its website.
The notice of closure, spotted by music enthusiasts over the weekend, stated that after September 15, 2026, Columbia House would no longer accept new orders. Founded in 1955 as the Columbia Record Club by Columbia Records, the company aimed to reach consumers in areas without access to traditional record stores. Over the years, the business expanded to include cassettes, CDs, and later DVDs of movies and TV shows.
Initially attracting customers with promises of multiple records for a penny through magazine inserts, Columbia House saw significant success. By 1994, it accounted for 15% of all CD sales and had shipped over a billion records. However, with the rise of online music options, the company’s revenue declined. In 2010, under new ownership by Direct Brands, Columbia House shifted its focus to DVD sales and closed its Canadian operations.
Despite filing for bankruptcy in the U.S. in 2015, the company continued operating on DVD sales until now. According to its 2015 statement, Columbia House’s peak revenue was around $1.4 billion USD in 1996. The closure news coincides with a resurgence of interest in physical media, with vinyl sales seeing a significant uptick in recent years.
While many had bid farewell to Columbia House’s iconic music collection model during the 2015 bankruptcy, the recent announcement has sparked a wave of nostalgia among music lovers. Social media platforms are abuzz with tributes to the company and humorous references to outstanding fees owed. 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 not yet received a response.
