InfoAnda - Underdogs Amazon and Target take aim at iTunes and Walmart

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

Declining Aboriginal conditions 'unacceptable': Rudd | 2 July 2009
Singapore's Oct inflation slows on oil price fall | 23 November 2008
Facebook & Twitter used in stock fraud: U.S. prosecutor | | 6 October 2010

Apple wakes up to iPhone alarm glitch on New Year's | 3 January 2011

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Underdogs Amazon and Target take aim at iTunes and Walmart

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World Underdogs Amazon and Target take aim at iTunes and Walmart Reuters - 2 hours 5 minutes ago Send IM Story Print By Ed Christman NEW YORK - As music retailers suffer ever shrinking sales, some of the most aggressive moves to boost business are being made by the perpetual runners-up in their respective sectors. The past year has seen heightened competitive positioning between Apple's iTunes store and Amazon for digital sales and Walmart and Target for CD sales. In both instances the latter merchant is bringing the fight to their larger competitor. Amazon batters iTunes daily with pricing promotions like the Daily Deal, while Target recently used huge marketing spending to challenge Walmart's dominance in country music. AMAZON VS. ITUNES The Amazon MP3 store's roughly 1.3% share of the U.S. music account base in 2009 was dwarfed by market leader iTunes, which held a commanding 26.7% of the market, according to Billboard estimates. But that hasn't prevented Amazon from becoming a thorn in the side of its much larger rival. Amazon's Daily Deal, the most closely watched element on the retailer's "Special MP3 Deals" page, has proved to be a powerful generator of album sales, especially upon the release of a new title. For instance, Amazon priced Arcade Fire's album "The Suburbs" at $3.99 during its debut week in August, helping drive first-week sales of 156,000 and a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200. Meanwhile, Amazon priced Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" at $3.99 on its November 22 release date, pushing first-week sales of 59,000 at Amazon, compared with about 163,000 at iTunes, according to sources, an impressively narrow gap given iTunes' larger market share. Amazon's loss-leader pricing has helped it grow market share and transform itself from a catalog retailer to a potent force for new releases. While music industry executives acknowledge that Apple enjoys the enormous advantage of selling iPhones and iPods that seamlessly integrate with iTunes, they still wonder why Amazon's pricing strategies don't steal more business from Apple. With its Daily Deal, $5 pricing on select albums and attractive discounts on many other digital and physical titles, Amazon is consistently the low-price retail leader for all music, including track downloads. Currently, it's pricing all hit tracks at 99 cents, except for those from Sony Music, which sets its own pricing of $1.29 on hit singles. By contrast, most hit tracks on iTunes are $1.29. "The Daily Deal numbers are fantastic," a senior major-label distribution executive says. "It's crazy that the consumer is so fickle and won't stay shopping there." Executives at Amazon, who didn't respond to requests for comment, have tried to lure customers away from iTunes with cut-rate pricing, but the strategy doesn't appear to be working as planned, the head of sales at another major label says. An Apple representative declined to comment. "Amazon is growing, but they are growing in millimeters," he says. "That strategy doesn't seem scalable." TARGET VS. WALMART In a move that would help establish one of the year's biggest sales success, Target scored an exclusive on a deluxe CD version of Taylor Swift's third album, "Speak Now," backing it up with an $8 million marketing campaign that included extensive TV advertising. The strategy paid off when the Minneapolis-based mass merchant accounted for 340,000 of the slightly more than 1 million units that "Speak Now" sold in the United States in its debut week ended October 31, while Walmart sold 190,000 units, according to SoundScan and retail sources. "We think we will sell a million units of Taylor Swift at Target through Christmas," Target VP of entertainment John Butcher says. "We have sold 660,000 pieces already." The 1,752-unit chain has also run an extensive TV ad campaign to tout its exclusive on an extended version of Keith Urban's album, "Get Closer," which sold 162,000 units in its first week ended November 21, according to SoundScan. Of that tally, Target moved 90,000 units, while Walmart accounted for only 27,000, sources say. Walmart has been the top country music merchandiser for more than two decades. By nailing down exclusives from superstars like Swift and Urban, Target is demonstrating that it's increasingly willing to go head to head with the 4,300-unit Bentonville, Ark., retail giant on its home turf. "No question, Target is making a move on the country business," a major-label head of sales says, although Swift and Urban are also big crossover stars in the pop market. Target's share of the U.S. music account base in 2009 was about 8.1%, versus 12.5% for Walmart, Billboard estimates. "It probably seems like we are country-heavy right now," Butcher says, "but we select artists based on their relevance to our , alignment with our brand, wide appeal and potential for great results. Both Keith Urban and Taylor Swift certainly fit those criteria perfectly for us." In another move, Target appears to have stepped up its appetite for exclusive versions of albums while Walmart seems to be curtailing that strategy. In 2008 and 2009, Walmart was aggressively chasing not only exclusive versions of albums -- by partnering with BET, MTV and CMT to offer double-disc versions of titles with extra DVD material -- but also landing exclusive windows to sell albums by such acts as AC/DC, Journey and Foreigner. The albums with exclusive windows are sold one-way to Walmart, which "is moving away from them because it wants some protection, a return percentage allowance," a major-label head of sales says. Walmart did not respond to a request for comment. Butcher says Target's approach toward exclusives hasn't changed, noting past deals with Prince, Pearl Jam and Christina Aguilera. While generating strong sales helps Target make a case for itself as it pursues other exclusives, aligning itself with popular recording artists brings other advantages to the retailer as well, a music marketing executive says. "They do those campaigns for imaging reasons," the executive says. "Target is going to spend money on television advertising anyway, and if they can stick Taylor Swift into a campaign, how can they lose?" Butcher doesn't resist the characterization that music is an important component of the overall branding message at Target, which has been selling music for longer than Best Buy or Borders. "Music has a heightened position in our image because it's always been a part of our DNA," he says. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - 2 hours 5 minutes ago Underdogs Amazon and Target take aim at iTunes and Walmart Reuters - 2 hours 5 minutes ago Voice on Michael Jackson album far from finished article Reuters - Tuesday, December 14 "Black Swan" leads Critics' Choice award nominees Reuters - Tuesday, December 14 Indonesian pop singer Audy feels at ease in her new slim look ANN - Tuesday, December 14 News Search Top Stories Moody's says Spain banking outlook "negative" OECD warns eurozone on debt Hurley confirms separation as Warne 'affair' revealed Cancun reignites climate talks flame German finance minister criticises bailout 'speculation' More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Most Recommended Hurley confirms separation as Warne 'affair' revealed Amanda Knox breaks down in Italy sex-murder trial UK rioters 'made contact' with duchess in fees protest Forex market jumps thanks to electronic revolution: BIS Russia's Putin sings Armstrong for Hollywood stars More Most Viewed » NASA finds new form of life... on Earth US, S.Korea plan war games after N.Korean attack Defiant Obama defends tax cuts, eyes 2012 More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Monday, 13 December 2010
Afghan insurgents kill at least six foreign soldiers
Hundreds rally in Russia in support of Khodorkovsky
Berlusconi will lose confidence vote: Fini
Rough road ahead for new U.S. Mideast peace push
Gbagbo accuses foreign powers of wooing I.Coast army
Berlusconi's survival hopes finely balanced |
UK rioters 'made contact' with duchess in fees protest
Sudan group in legal challenge to independence vote
Suicide bombing kills 6 NATO troops in Afghanistan
China says will be patient in pushing for North Korea talks |
Car bomb kills 6 NATO troops in Afghanistan
Lee, Nehwal take titles in Hong Kong
Bangladesh shares suffer record fall
Dutch release man accused of cyber attacks |
Microfinance pioneer Yunus criticises Indian lenders
Dubai movie fest opens with Firth film
Malaysia sees sharp FDI rebound in first nine months
China vows stable growth, inflation management
Jailed Afghan drug lord was CIA informant: report
German finance minister criticises bailout 'speculation'
US-TECH Summary
South Korean ship sinks off Antarctica, at least 5 dead |
Sand, snow, thunderstorms wreak Mideast havoc
Liz Hurley confirms separation, Warne 'affair' revealed
Italy's Berlusconi tipped for defeat as supporters rally
Amazon websites outage was due to hardware failure
China releases long-serving dissident from jail: group |
Cancun reignites climate talks flame
Dutch release man accused of cyber attacks
Russian spy named advisor for oil company Rosneft: report |
Islamist website identifies Stockholm bomber
African health research has solutions but no support
Suicide bombing kills 6 NATO troops in Afghanistan
Forex market jumps thanks to electronic revolution: BIS
France's Le Pen under fire for Muslim 'occupation' claims
China's envoy: hopeful of free trade talks with India |
Dutchman held over sexual abuse of up to 50 children |
Japan ruling DPJ presses kingpin for ethics panel |
Iran not a rogue state: Australia |
Ambassadors urge trust in Haiti vote review
Australia fears Israeli strike on Iran: cables
COMMENTARY: India's higher courts in the dock
Oprah sails Sydney Harbour with Russell Crowe
Amazon websites outage was due to hardware failure |
Uncertainty over South Korean economy: bank
Restorers put finishing touches to Leaning Tower of Pisa
Senior U.S. diplomat Richard Holbrooke critical after surgery
China defends its global rise
Judge dismisses Paul Allen firm's patent lawsuit |
Pompeii collapse forces Italy into heritage debate
South Korea ship sinks off Antarctica
Ex-US intel chief foresees SKorea military action
New Jackson album: a thriller from beyond the grave?
Seoul shares end up 0.5 pct on techs, banks
China uncovers 2,400-year-old soup: state media
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Foreign moviegoers rescue ailing "Narnia"
Shanghai aims to launch 24-hour trading by 2020
China releases long-serving dissident from jail
Underdogs Amazon, Target take aim at iTunes, Walmart |
L.A. film critics befriend "Social Network"
S.Korea regulator sees regulation scope widening
COMMENTARY: Strange outcome of Cancun conference
Narnia's subdued magic at American box office
22 presumed dead as S.Korea trawler sinks
South Korea T-bond futures slide as won weakens
Taiwan sells T$30 bln T-bills at 0.7 pct yield
Iran not a rogue state
Pakistan
Powerful 6.1 quake hits Papua New Guinea
Seoul shares open up modestly on banks
China's Wen to visit India amid disputes
NZ coal mine placed in receivership by shareholder
Glee throws lifeline to music industry |
L.A. film critics befriend Social Network |
Foreign moviegoers rescue ailing Narnia |
Underdogs Amazon, Target take aim at iTunes, Walmart |
IBM pitches "smart" cities as planet savers
Appy ever after: smartphone users find virtual girlfriend
Moody's says Spain banking outlook "negative"
Stockholm bomber aimed for major targets: prosecutor |
2010 -- the year tablet computers came of age
British police join probe into Sweden blast
OECD warns eurozone on debt
Iranian president sacks foreign minister: report |
Lenovo eyes rising margins on appreciating yuan
Pompeii collapse forces Italy into heritage debate
Israel welcomes shift in U.S. peace effort
Berlusconi warns of crisis ahead of crucial vote |
Judge dismisses Paul Allen firm's patent lawsuit
Accidents linked to bad weather kill 18 in Egypt
Israel welcomes shift in U.S. peace effort |
Artists, politicians write letter to free Iran's Ashtiani
Afghan MPs demand president form new parliament |
Kurdish 'self-determination' call sparks Iraqi ire
French nursery hostage drama ends safely |
US envoy Holbrooke remains in 'critical' condition
2010 -- the year tablet computers came of age
India protests U.S. frisking of top diplomats |
Arrests in Afghan attack that killed 6 US troops
Kosovo PM claims victory, rivals refuse to concede |
6 NATO troops killed by Afghan bomb were Americans
Blast hits school bus in Pakistan: police |
Bangladesh garment protests spread after deaths
Suicide bomber kills 4, wounds 17 in Iraq |
Malaysia, Brunei end spat over oil blocks
Hard-line Islamists break up church service in Indonesia
FEATURE: Building (digital) nationalism
Bomb hits school bus in Pakistan
Voice on Michael Jackson album far from finished article
ANALYSIS: Thailand's opposition party faces another test
"Black Swan" leads Critics' Choice award nominees
Hurley confirms separation amid 'Warne affair'
Foreign players add spice to Asean football
Decorator wins British X Factor as 20 mln tune in
"Yogi Bear" may send viewers into hibernation
Music labels reach fans with multiplatform apps
Get smart: Techie gifts for fitness fanatics |
Thaksin's US hearing put off
HK media group condemns attack on reporters in China
WikiLeaks rival Openleaks coming soon: website |
Music labels reach fans with multiplatform apps |
Dell to buy Compellent for $960 million |
Lenovo eyes rising margins on appreciating yuan |
Nokia's Navteq buys traffic service Trapster |
Embattled Indonesian Christians seek protection
Asia retail sales tipped to be double US by 2014
Voice on Michael Jackson album far from finished article |
Pakistan c.bank raises 31 bln rupees from Islamic bond
Black Swan leads Critics' Choice award nominees |
Yogi Bear may send viewers into hibernation |
Music labels reach fans with multiplatform apps |
Underdogs Amazon and Target take aim at iTunes and Walmart
"Glee" throws lifeline to music industry
Pakistani stocks end lower; rupee firms; o/n rates flat
Asian stocks jump on Wall Street gains, China optimism
Reckitt buys India's Paras Pharmaceuticals
Tokyo bourse, Hanoi exchange in cooperation deal
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