NPD Group’s MusicWatch PriceLab latest information shows that US price cuts to CDs are accelerating. CDs in Q1 2004 were 4% cheaper than in Q1 2003. By Q3 2003, the prices had only fallen 1%, by Q4 2003 they’d fallen 2.5%.
This means that the average price of a CD in the US has fallen to US$13.29 (€10.90) from US$13.79 (€11.31) in 2003. Titles older than 18 months are cheaper still, averaging at US$12.99 (€10.65).
“There are several reasons for the accelerating decline,” according to Russ Crupnick, president of NPD Music. “First and foremost the recording industry has had to deal with a changing market over the past few years, which was fuelled in part by file-sharing. But the retail landscape has also changed, and consumers are increasingly exposed to everyday low prices or terrific discount offers. Everyone also recognizes the increasing competition for entertainment dollars, as DVDs and video games are growing at double digit rates. These situational factors are causing the industry to reduce rethink pricing.”