UK retailers have pointed to what they describe as a ‘weak’ release schedule during 2013 as the reason for a year-on-year drop in sales of both albums and singles.
Overall, there was a 6.4% dip in album sales and a 3.4% drop in singles during last year when compared to 2012, and ERA general manager Kim Bayley has blamed a lack of major releases for the disappointing results.
“Music’s performance is primarily due to a weak release schedule, which is particularly disappointing given the huge investment by digital services in music’s future.” Bayley is quoted as saying by Music Week. “Retailers will be hoping that labels deliver bigger hits in 2014.”
There were similar complaints about release schedules towards the end of 2012 when albums from the likes of Mumford & Sons, Muse, Bob Dylan and The xx all arrived within weeks of each other.
There was some good news for albums this week as it was revealed that sales on the vinyl format had risen to the tune of 101% in 2013 when compared to figures recorded in 2012.