Book sales are up, and Barnes & Noble is expanding again, with nearly 70 new stores opened in 2025 and roughly 60 more planned for 2026. At the same time, independent bookstores are multiplying, vinyl remains the dominant physical music format in the U.S., and even CDs and DVDs are reappearing as collectible staples for younger buyers. Consumers aren’t giving up their favorite streaming services or e-books. But buying habits increasingly point toward ownership, browsing, and collecting—small