March 24, 2010 14:09

Music sales drop by lowest amount in five years

Sales dropped by 0.8 per cent in 2009, report reveals

Music sales in the UK fell by 0.8 per cent in 2009, the lowest drop in five years, a new report has revealed.

New data from the Entertainment Retailers' Association revealed the statistic, drawn from data included 90 per cent of music sales points such as Tesco, HMV and Amazon. It was also revealed that film sales dropped by 10.6 per cent and video games sales dropped by 11 per cent.

It was also revealed that the average price for a new CD album was £7.99 – the first time the average cost has dipped below £8.

Kim Bayley, director of ERA, said the modest fall in sales was positive for the music industry.

"Obviously everybody's still in the middle of a recession but I think it's certainly showing that consumers still love music," she told BBC 6music. "So, hopefully, it's a positive note in an otherwise grey climate."