Apple's iTunes store remained the number one music retailer in the first half of 2008, but the launch of Amazon's mp3 store has helped it jump one spot to number four, according to a Tuesday report from NPD Group.
The top five music retailers, according to NPD, are iTunes, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Amazon, and Target.
The launch of Amazon's mp3 store helped it overtake Target this year, but also assisting the online retailer was the fact that people usually purchase actual CDs online more than they do at brick and mortar stores, NPD said.
“Amazon's CD buyers tend to be older, so they haven't abandoned the CD format to the extent seen in the average music buyer," Russ Crupnick, NPD entertainment industry analyst, said in a statement. “Plus Amazon's successful introduction of its digital download store will help the company improve its position in the future."
NPD expects that Apple “will consolidate its lead in the retail music market, as CD sales continue to slow," Crupnick said.
The top five music retailers, according to NPD, are iTunes, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Amazon, and Target.
The launch of Amazon's mp3 store helped it overtake Target this year, but also assisting the online retailer was the fact that people usually purchase actual CDs online more than they do at brick and mortar stores, NPD said.
“Amazon's CD buyers tend to be older, so they haven't abandoned the CD format to the extent seen in the average music buyer," Russ Crupnick, NPD entertainment industry analyst, said in a statement. “Plus Amazon's successful introduction of its digital download store will help the company improve its position in the future."
NPD expects that Apple “will consolidate its lead in the retail music market, as CD sales continue to slow," Crupnick said.
