The supermarket said it wants to free up space. A spokeswoman said: “Our customers increasingly go online for entertainment so earlier this year we took the decision to gradually phase out the sale of DVDs and CDs, so that we can dedicate extra space to food and popular products like clothing and homeware.”

       The change is likely to apply to the chain’s website although some stores will still sell vinyl records amid soaring demand for them. Streaming accounts for around four-fifths of overall music consumption.

       Music trade body the British Phonographic Industry said the 40-year-old CD is still popular for its “quality, convenience and collectability”.

       It accepted demand has fallen with streaming, but said “resilient demand is likely to continue for many years”.

       It added: “If some retailers now see the format as less of a priority, this will create a further opportunity for others, such as independent shops and specialist chains such as HMV, to cater to the continuing demand.”