Woolworths Ditches CD Singles; Revamps Digital Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Woolworths is now dropping its CD-single inventory, according to information confirmed by the UK-based chain on Tuesday. The format has been lagging for years, and remains an afterthought for most labels. According to the retailer, sales of CD-singles in the United Kingdom have plunged from 55 million in 2000, to just 8 million in 2007. Physical albums will remain on store shelves.
Woolworths is a massive music seller in the region, and the shift is symbolic. Online downloads - paid or unpaid - have placed CD-singles into a mortuary that also includes 45s and cassette singles.
But Woolworths wants a piece of the digital game, and the company is also upgrading its digital music store to include a broader array of media types. "Our customers are now starting to embrace the world of downloading, USB's and other new media which is why we feel the time is right to launch our new digital site," explained Jim Batchelor, commercial director at Woolworths.
The Woolworths download store is available at woolworthsdownload.co.uk