A long-standing mail-order club that famously enticed new members with the offer of 12 CDs for a penny has declared its closure after a 71-year run. Columbia House, known for its music sales and operations in Canada until 2010, unexpectedly removed the closure announcement from its website this week.
The company, initially established by Columbia Records in 1955 as Columbia Record Club, aimed to boost music sales in areas without easy access to record stores. Over the years, the mail-order business expanded to include cassettes, CDs, and even DVDs of movies and TV shows.
Early patrons were drawn in by promotions in magazines and newspapers that promised various music formats in exchange for mailing in a penny and agreeing to buy a certain number of releases monthly. Columbia House’s model proved successful, with the company shipping over a billion records and capturing 15% of CD sales by 1994.
As online music options grew, Columbia House’s revenue declined, leading to its decision in 2010, under Direct Brands ownership, to cease music sales and focus solely on DVD sales. The company also closed its Canadian operations.
In a similar vein, the parent company of Columbia House, Filmed Entertainment Inc., filed for bankruptcy protection in the U.S. in 2015, signaling financial struggles. Despite attempts to stay afloat through DVD sales, the recent closure announcement marks the end of an era.
While some may recall bidding farewell to Columbia House during its 2015 bankruptcy episode, this latest closure news has reignited discussions among music enthusiasts on social media, reminiscing about the company’s role in their music collections and sharing lighthearted anecdotes about past dealings with the club.
CBC News has attempted to contact Columbia House for further details following the removal of the closure notice from its website without success.