Jan 5, 2008

CD sales plummet, leaving retailers spinningBy Jon BreamStarTribune.com

Like Britney Spears’ reputation, CD sales declined dramatically in 2007 — 19 percent, to be exact.

That news hits especially hard in the Twin Cities, a national hub for record distribution for a half-century. It is home to two of the industry’s biggest players — Best Buy and Target, which together account for 3 of every 10 discs sold in the United States — but even smaller stores are singing the post-holiday CD blues.

To fight back, Best Buy and longtime local independents such as the Electric Fetus and Cheapo Discs are diversifying, adding everything from coffee shops and digital downloads to — gasp! — vinyl albums.

Although Best Buy did not suffer as sharp a downturn in CD sales, “We’re not happy about the decline,” said Jennifer Schaidler, vice president of music. “But we’re going to go where the customers go.”

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