CDs going way of records, 8-tracks, cassette tape

Opinions vary on whether the music CD is on its way to becoming a collector's item.

Still, it's harder these days to buy compact discs in big box stores such as Target, Best Buy and Wal-Mart. Those major retailers have reduced the floor space their stores devote to compact discs, retail experts say.

In the Pittsburgh area, some regional malls such as Ross Park Mall and South Hills Village have no music stores. The FYE entertainment retail chain has stores at The Mall at Robinson and Century III, Westmoreland and Monroeville malls.

Music lovers who like to browse racks of CDs can go to independent music stores, along with remaining Borders and some other retailers.

Last year, CD sales fell 19 percent nationwide, the Recording Industry Association of America said. But sales of downloaded albums were up 16.8 percent last year, and individual tracks were up 9.6 percent, Nielsen SoundScan said.