Weblog of a “Switcher”

Wow, I really never ever expected to see Apple kill Wal-Mart in Music sales to become #1. Wal-Mart is so frecking big and can afford to undercut anyone to make sure they held the lead that I just never ever thought it would happen.

This really makes me wonder if record labels are going to reconsider their position on DRM with Apple.

According to ars technica and the NPD Group, sales numbers for the month of January were: Apple 19%, Wal-Mart 15%, Best Buy 13%, Amazon 6%.

Way to go Apple! Now, I wonder how soon before you get brought to court for being a monopoly. You know it's inevitable.

Update (3pm): AppleInsider reports that the following month (February), they fell right back behind Wal-Mart. However, they also sight:

Given Apple's ongoing and rapid ascent in the retail rankings, it's likely only a matter of months before the company completely erodes whatever lead Wal-mart currently maintains to become the definitive No.1 overall.

So maybe in a couple of months this will be for longer than a single month.

Update (3:30pm): OK, now I just don't know who or what to believe.

Apple posted a press release sometime around 2pm stating that they were #1 in US Music Sales for both January and February. So, I'm stumped. Can anyone shed any light on this?

written by Dave M. \\ tags: Amazon, Apple Music, Ars Technica, Best Buy, Drm, Group Sales, Monopoly, Month Of January, Music Sales, Npd Group, Record Labels, record sales, Sales Numbers, Wal Mart, Wow