InfoAnda - Wary Christmas looms for music retailers

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Dutch court fines firm over Ivory Coast toxic waste | 24 July 2010
US-TECH Summary | 30 September 2010
RIM's PlayBook gets tough reviews ahead of launch | | 15 April 2011

Germany's Merkel counts on a boost from state vote | International | | 18 January 2009

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Wary Christmas looms for music retailers

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail Yahoo! Search Search: Sign InNew User? Sign Up News Home - Help Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Asia Pacific World Search Search: Wary Christmas looms for music retailers Reuters - Saturday, July 11 By Ed Christman NEW YORK - Retailers expect music sales to be better during the Christmas shopping season than the rest of this year, but most anticipate a case of the holiday blues. "Last year was such a bad Christmas for music sales that if we can't top that, then we've got a serious problem on our hands," says a purchasing executive at a retail chain who asked to remain anonymous because he isn't authorized to speak about sales projections. The executive expects year-end sales to be up from last year, which would be the first time since 2003 that fourth-quarter U.S. recorded-music sales haven't posted a year-on-year decline. But that's one of the more optimistic forecasts. Others say they assume that year-end recorded-music sales will slide in line with the rest of 2009, when year-to-date sales have dropped 14.5 percent from the same period last year, according to Nielsen SoundScan. A strong release schedule could help slow the decline. High-profile releases expected this fall include albums by Jay-Z, 50 Cent, T-Pain, Leona Lewis and Shakira. But merchants and distribution executives say it's too early to assess the impact of this year's slate. "Overall, are down about 20 percent this year," says Universal Music Group Distribution president/CEO Jim Urie. "It may get better due to a strong release schedule, but it won't provide a major improvement." SPENDING ON HOLD Most industry executives say the distressed economy, weak CD profit margins and the increasing displacement of physical music product in brick-and-mortar stores by other entertainment products will make it difficult for holiday sales to remain steady over last year, much less show an upswing. The CFO at a leading retail chain says that while he expects some U.S. economic indicators to show improvement in the fall, "it will be 2011 before we see any serious spending out of consumers, and it won't be at previous levels." The wild card is U.S. monetary policy, according to the executive. "If they don't focus on strengthening the dollar, I worry that hyper-inflation will kick in," he says, adding that hopes for a near-term economic recovery will be dim "if the dollar is not strong and foreign investors start pulling out." Bruce Ogilvie, co-owner of music and video distributor Super D, says he doesn't expect the current rate of decline in U.S. physical music sales to accelerate during the rest of the year, after a 21.2 percent fall in CD sales during the first six months of the year from the same period of 2008. "If the economy got better, it would help things," Ogilvie says. But making matters worse are this year's significantly slowed DVD sales, retail executives say. They're divided, however, on whether the poor sales have been the result of a weak release schedule and tough economic conditions or a decline in the DVD format's popularity among consumers, many of whom have already stopped buying CDs. PRICE WARS Whatever the answer, DVDs have supplanted music at the front of most home entertainment superstores, thanks to aggressive marketing by film studios. This year, studios are being just as aggressive with DVD catalog, merchants say. But they may be backing off from releasing big DVD titles close to Thanksgiving weekend, out of fear of a possible price war, says a Wall Street analyst who follows movie studios. The analyst notes that intensive promotional pricing last year led to a pricing battle, triggered by pressure from big-box retailers on the studios to provide them with unusually large promotional budgets. Alan Tuchman, president of independent distributor Alliance Entertainment, says he assumes that floor space dedicated to music will continue to dwindle right through the holiday shopping season. "The labels have made it very clear to me that they want to manage the CD down ... because they fear it is cannibalizing potential digital sales," he says. "The labels see it as a declining business and will no longer invest in it" beyond the big-box merchants. But Tuchman says labels should view the CD as a different business from digital downloads, and one that targets a different demographic. If the labels look at it from that perspective, and cut prices and invest in other music merchandisers, then the CD can be incremental business for them, he says. "Christmas depends on how much real estate we have left," Tuchman says. "We don't see much of a change in pricing from the label side ... so we think music will continue to fade. By Christmas merchants will have a much smaller music section, so I am not bullish." Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Sign in to recommend this article » 0 users recommend Related Articles: Entertainment & Lifestyle Wary Christmas looms for music retailersReuters - Saturday, July 11 Ryan Reynolds cast as "Green Lantern"Reuters - Saturday, July 11 CORRECTION: Jeremy Renner looks for success, finds "Hurt Locker"Reuters - Saturday, July 11 Obama artist admits to 3 Boston vandalism chargesAP - Saturday, July 11 McCartney returns to Ed Sullivan TheaterAP - Saturday, July 11 Most Popular – Entertainment Viewed Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey German mother gives birth to identical triplets Jackson 'best father' ever, daughter tells the world Jackson mother relieved of estate on funeral eve Pushy French are world's worst tourists: study View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - Community - Intellectual Property Rights Policy - Help

Other News on Saturday, 11 July 2009
Taliban losing, says Britain as troop toll rises
British PM's Afghanistan warning as death toll surpasses Iraq
Six security personnel killed in Pakistan: officials
Israel must keep much of Golan
West Bank should not be 'Judenrein': Israel PM
Worst violence since US pullback hits Iraq
Bombs kill 50 in Iraq as violence flares
Hundreds protest in Iran, defying crackdown vow
Bomb attacks kill 52 in Iraq
Afghan truck bomb kills 25: police
France ends search for Brazil flight box signals
China raises Xinjiang death toll to 184 | International |
US-TECH Summary
Reborn GM vows to rev up as new company
Honduras rivals agree more talks to pursue solution | International |
Medvedev backs away from joint WTO bid
North Korea army behind South web attack: report
Eight British troops killed in Afghanistan | International |
Father jailed in Germany for pimping daughter
Shrinking US trade gap seen as positive for economy
U.S. drone strike kills 5 militants in Pakistan | International |
Low-cost online computer gaming surges in US
Spaniard gored to death in Pamplona bull run
Canada examines cancer risks of diabetes drug
Rosetta Stone sues Google over trademark
Pushy French are world's worst tourists: study
Australia presses China on detained Rio exec | International |
Pamplona bull gores man to death
Hundreds hurt, homes destroyed in China quake: reports
Publishers deny British tabloid celebrity phone-hacking claims
North Korea army behind South web attack: report | International |
Russia operator denies plan to rename Lenin station
Miner Anglo American chooses new chairman: reports
Power.com countersues Facebook in user data dispute
Obama uses G8 debut to issue warning to Iran | International |
China claims to have proof against Rio Tinto staff
French paper goes global, risks ridicule with translation
German exports perk up in May on month: statistics
Medvedev threatens U.S. over missile shield | International |
Google CEO to discuss his role on Apple's board
Hundreds injured in south China quake | International |
Iraq denies U.S. policy shift brought Iranians' release | International |
German chipmaker Infineon unveils major capital increase
US fund Apollo to invest in Germany's Infineon: report
Fuel rods to be checked at German nuclear plant
Publishers deny British tabloid celebrity phone-hacking claims
Chavez contacted US over Honduras: official
British police probe tabloid phone-hacking claims
Obama arrives in Ghana to red carpet welcome
Obama arrives in Ghana for maiden trip to sub-Saharan Africa
LA wants reports on Jackson memorial cost, revenue
Big media seek 21st century business models | Technology |
SC gov hangs on to office, 2 weeks after scandal
Text of Obama's news conference on Friday
North Korea army behind South web attack: report | Technology |
Obesity a risk factor in swine flu?
China raises Xinjiang death toll to 184
Power.com countersues Facebook over user data | Technology |
GM exits bankruptcy; CEO vows better performance
Australia concerned over Rio executive detention
Obama Gets Warm Welcome In Ghana
Google CEO to discuss his role on Apple's board | Technology |
Weather To Get Final Vote On Saturday Shuttle Launch
Idaho board game lets players live 'Truckin' life
North Korea army seen behind South web attack
India gay sex ruling
Anti-Rejection Drug May Extend Human Life
England cricket bowlers flayed by Aussie media
Camel Climbs Mount Washington
AOL reviewing assets, but will likely keep Bebo | Technology |
US lawmakers rally behind Uighur leader
Australian shot dead at US mine in Indonesia: police
Bloggers test boundaries in Saudi Arabia | Technology |
4-Month-Old Found Dead At Day Care Center Of Apparent Heart Trouble
Three Sought In Murders Of Couple With 12 Adopted Children
News Corp won't buy Twitter, won't sell MySpace | Technology |
Continental Airlines Gets A Nod From DOT To Join Star Alliance
Evans has a go at Tour de France
Ericsson to manage Sprint network in $4.5-$5billion deal | Technology |
Australian shot dead near Freeport Papua mine
GM Emerges From Bankruptcy As Slimmer, Faster Firm
Recalls Continue of Milk Products Linked To Salmonella
Update: G8 Commits $20 Billion To Food Security; Obama Says Economic Recovery Still Underway
Clinton hopes NKorea grants amnesty to US reporters
Paris Hilton insists she plugged sorority movie
Zooey Deschanel destined for "Highness"
Turkmenistan prepared to supply Nabucco
"Old Christine" is new to Lifetime
Turkmenstan prepared to supply Nabucco
India's Infosys Q1 profit up 17.2 pct, beats forecasts
Malkovich to take serial killer opera around Europe
Clooney to shoot film in Italian earthquake city
Hollywood sends 3D home -- in videogames
Still no EU green light for SKorea trade deal: diplomats
China property prices post first on-year rise in six months
Jesse James Hollywood convicted of murder, kidnap
Pakistan's 2008/09 remittances at record $7.8 bln
Fate of fans' flowers, cards for Jackson undecided
India's Infosys says quarterly profit up 1.6 pct
Ryan Reynolds cast as Green Lantern | Entertainment |
China exports down 21.4% year on year in June
Court clears Indonesian official in activist death
Jackson's dad suspects foul play in death | Entertainment |
Wary Christmas looms for music retailers
Taiwan's Cathay Fin posts weak Q2 net profit
3 'Idol' alumni target holiday season for debuts | Entertainment |
Megawati rejects Indonesian presidential poll
Ryan Reynolds cast as "Green Lantern"
Taiwan dollar weakens on fund outflows, insurers
Austrians say outrageous Bruno ist pretty funny | Entertainment |
Harry Potter stars felt pressure to ace kiss | Entertainment |
CORRECTION: Jeremy Renner looks for success, finds "Hurt Locker"
Re-election raises hope of bold Indonesian govt
China to build own Neverland as Michael Jackson tribute | Entertainment |
Obama artist admits to 3 Boston vandalism charges
Wary Christmas looms for music retailers | Entertainment |
McCartney returns to Ed Sullivan Theater
Indonesia poised for growth after Yudhoyono 'landslide'
Ryan Seacrest nears new megadeal | Entertainment |
Son of late Grammy nominee to take over NYC church
Early results show Indonesian president winning
Jeremy Renner looks for success, finds Hurt Locker | Entertainment |
British tabloid denies it hacked celebrities
Bono says Ghana rebranding Africa | Entertainment |
Jason Priestley and wife welcome a baby boy in LA
Carrey to be a grandfather; his daughter expecting
Dozens line up for Jackson Ind. hometown memorial
Two Malaysian men charged with human trafficking: report
NKorea's parliamentary head leaves for Egypt
U.S. drone strike kills 5 militants in Pakistan
Pakistani c.bank sells 16.5 bln rupees of T-bills
Vietnam could sack doctors revealing foetal sex: media
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
3 'Idol' alumni target holiday season for debuts
Carrie Underwood to entertain Fort Campbell troops
Paris Hilton insists she plugged sorority movie
Obama: Africa aid must be matched by good governance | International |
London's Big Ben clocks up 150 years
Iran plays down G8 concern at protests, nuke standoff
Canada warns pregnant women about swine flu risks
Iran prepares package to offer West
CORRECTED
Pakistan to put Mumbai attack suspects on trial | International |
Iran prepares package to offer West: minister | International |
Car bomb in northern Iraq's Mosul kills 4 | International |
Zimbabwe's Mugabe criticizes West for conditional aid | International |
Somali troops clash with insurgents, 20 killed | International |
Greying Asia faces pensions time bomb: ADB study
Australia presses China on Rio Tinto arrest
China scales back homeless number after quake
Weather worries cloud Endeavour launch attempt
McDonald warns Celtic of Roar's 'Old Firm'
SKorea spy agency 'hunts NKorean' for cyber attack
US govt review questions effectiveness of wiretaps
Indonesia find 15 Afghan migrants: police
Analysis: Obama suggests sanctions for Iran
FACT CHECK: GOP joins murky math on stimulus jobs
Obama admin: No grounds to probe Afghan war crimes
GM Considering eBay Partnership To Sell Vehicles
Couple in astronaut assault case plan to marry
WA teen who mistook hiker for bear gets 30 days
One week delay in Jackson guardianship case
Jackson's hometown holds memorial for pop icon
Island Records stars pay tribute at Montreux Jazz Festival | Entertainment |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01