After a slow start, record sales have picked up resulting in a stable first quarter.
2003 started of slow with decreasing sales and a low percentage of domestic repertoire. As predicted, sales picked up in March with a 34% increase in volume and 38% in value compared to March 2002’s phonogram sales.
The first quarter figures from the Association of Norwegian Record Distributors indicate a 4% sales increase in volume and 1% in value compared to last year’s first quarter.
So far in 2003, 3 million albums and 229 000 singles have been sold resulting in a total turnover of NOK 201 million.
Sales of CD albums have increased 6% in volume and 1% in value compared to 2002.
Singles sales are down 13% in volume and 18% in value compared to 2002’s first quarter.
Market shares March 2003:
EMI Recorded Music 29,5% (+0,9%)
Universal 18,1% (-2,2%)
Warner 11% (+1,1%)
Sony 10,5% (-2,3%)
BMG 8,2% (+0,7%)
MNW 6,4% (+4,4%)
Tuba 3,7% (-0,6%)
Bonnier Amigo 2,5% (+1%)
Master Music/Naxos 2,2% (+0,2%)
VME 2% (-0,8%)
Playground 1,9% (-0,1%)
Tylden 1,4% (-0,9%)
Bare Bra Musikk 0,8% (-0,4%)
Arcade 0,6% (-0,2%)
KKV 0,4% (-0,1%)
Norwave 0,1% (-0,7%)
Other 0,7% (-0,8%)
The total turnover in March amounted to NOK 78,4 million.
Headlines: