According to the Check Index analytical center, CD player sales in Russia grew by 16% year-on-year and 51% compared to 2024. The median price reached 9 607 ₽. Cassette recorder sales increased by 10% year-on-year and 36% over two years, with a median price of 12 509 ₽, marking a 17.5% annual increase.
Film camera sales rose by 12% annually and 34% over two years, averaging 4 678 ₽. Vinyl record players saw a 10% annual increase and a 24% rise over two years, reaching a median price of 26 708 ₽. Wildberries data for the first half of 2026 shows CD player sales volume grew by 50% and revenue by 48%.
Demand for cassette tapes on Wildberries surged by 46%, while cassette recorder sales grew by 8%. Manufacturers are responding by integrating modern features like Bluetooth and USB-C into retro-style devices. For instance, the Freewrite digital typewriter is priced at $700, while modern instant cameras from Polaroid, Kodak, and Fujifilm cost between $30 and $250.
Not all retro categories are experiencing growth. Sales of classic rotary phones remain niche, and mechanical typewriters sell in very low volumes. Furthermore, demand for vintage mobile flip phones, such as the Motorola Razr V3 and Nokia N93, declined by nearly 45% over the past year.
