BPI Market Information - August

There were welcome increases in both the singles and albums markets in August, our monthly analyses showing that album sales rose by 4% while the singles market experienced a 10% increase, the highest since February. In the albums market digital sales continued to record strong growth, up by 37%. Although CD sales were flat, there was some strong growth in the lower priced sectors – mid price and budget compilations for example both had a good month. The best seller overall was Now 76 (for the second successive month) and the best selling single was Flo Rida ft David Guetta’s Club Can’t Handle Me, one of two tracks to sell over 200,000 copies across the course of the month.

 
Despite the success of individual sectors, total album sales are down for the first eight months of the year. However, as we are about to enter the final and most important quarter of the year, the release schedule looks strong – titles from Take That, Tinie Tempah, Robbie Williams, The Wanted, Susan Boyle and Kings Of Leon should all make a significant sales impact in the run-up to Christmas.

Features in the research department’s August report include:

• Consumer data on the digital music market from Kantar, including updates on demographics, pricing and penetration (nearly 15% of the population aged over 12 bought some form of digital music in the past 12 months)

• Airplay data from Radiomonitor, including monthly and year to date charts as well as a look at Kerrang! TV

• A look at recent third party research from Ipsos, Music Ally, PWC and Rajar

These and all reports from the Research Department are free to BPI members. Non-members can access these with a subscription to the Market Information Series.