I'm guessing they might be replaced with downloads at some point. If they want to hang on to the CD format, they need to change some things. First, lower the prices on CDs - no one is going to make a trip to the store or whatever to pay $20 for a CD when they can download it. However, an album at $10 or less will likely sell really well if marketed properly.

They need to spread music CDs from the music stores to the convenience stores, supermarkets, etc. Impulse buying. Someone standing in line at the grocery store sees a display with a brand new album for $8.99 and they buy it to listen to in their car. This also means a move away from the jewel box to the cardboard and shrink wrap packaging.

The Eagles made a unconventional marketing move with their latest album. They released it to be sold only by Wal Mart in cardboard shrink wrap on those big display boxes. The price for a two album set was pretty cheap. Not sure how they made out on it, but things need to change if the whole concept of artists selling albums is going to remain a reality.