Canadian growth after six years of decline
19 January 2005 - 15:13:39
The Canadian music industry has experienced its first year-on-year sales increase since 1998, according to newly released figures.
The Canadian Recording Industry Association (Cria) says the total number of shipments of CDs, singles, DVDs and VHS in 2004 increased by 5% on the previous year. The total value of sales, meanwhile, was up by 1%.
The gap between volume and vale is put down to a fall in CD prices. Figures are based on net shipments by Cria members to brick and mortar retailers.
“The artistic output last year was nothing short of brilliant,” says Cria president Graham Henderson. “The labels produced a near miraculous result with innovative marketing techniques amid record levels of piracy.”