Woolworths quit CD singles

Biggest music retailer stops singles

27 May 2008 - Woolworths have announced that they will no longer sell CD singles in their stores because of the "terminal decline" of the format.

It could signal the end of the CD single as Woolworths is one of the largest music retailers, selling one in three of the UK's CDs.

Woolworths spokesperson, Daniel Himsworth, told 6 Music:  "Well the CD single market is a rapidly declining market.  In 2000, 55 million CD singles were sold, that was only 8 million in 2007. 

"So, digital download really is the format of choice for single track buying customers which is why we've launched our new digital downloading site today and announced that we've pulled out of the CD single."

There will be certain exceptions, namely singles from reality TV winners that are successful in appealing to the mass market.

He continued:  "We would never want to deny our customers a product that many people want to buy, so naturally if there's a release such as the X-Factor, we will certainly still stock them in our stores."

When asked whether their new downloading initiative will pose a direct challenge to iTunes, he responded:

"Well, iTunes will definitely be a competitor but what we've done with the Woolworths site is try to make it simple, a very easy place to download music, videos and games.

"It's very much aimed at people that are looking for a simple solution, so new downloaders and people that are currently downloading but looking for something a little bit easier to use."

"Well the CD single market is a rapidly declining market.  In 2000, 55 million CD singles were sold, that was only 8 million in 2007."

While their new downloading site's homepage will remain chart focussed, they say it won't all be the teen pop Woolworths is usually known for:

"There are 1.2 million tracks to download so it doesn't matter what type of music you like, you'll be able to find something that suits your taste on the Woolies site."

Despite the negative news for CD Singles, Woolworths' decision does not reflect their physical album sales and Himsworth does not think albums will go in the same direction any time soon.

He said: "CD sales are certainly alive and well for album tracks, it's certainly the format of choice for people who would like to enjoy a whole album. Who knows? I mean there's certainly albums available on the Woolworths digital site and we'll see how it goes but as things stand, CD albums are certainly here to stay in our stores."

Georgie Rogers