nickshanagher

News this week that the average price of a CD has fallen below £8 for the first time, compared to more than £11 in 2000, tell all retailers that prices do not have to just go up. While the recording industry may blame the internet and supermarkets, which are accused of below cost selling, the business of music may not be suffering in proportion. Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien told Time magazine that "the music industry isn't in crisis, the recording industry is; it is an unbelievably good time to be a fan of music and new bands." Whatever, most corner shops are not big into music. However, the implications for book, magazine and newspaper sales is more sobering. The Boston Consulting Group has just studied the attitude of shoppers towards buying digital content in the US, China and Germany. They will pay $100-$150; $70-$120; and $130-$160 respectively for an e-reader. For a book the price ranges are $5-$10; $1-$2; and $7-$12 respectively. For a magazine $2-$4; $1-$2; ...