U.K. Compilation Share Dips

Market share of compilation albums in the U.K. dipped to 24.8% in 2002, according to a new report issued by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). During the past 10 years, market share for compilations has slipped below 25% just once, in 2000. In 2001, the figure was 25.7%.

The Official U.K. Charts Co., which gathers over-the-counter sales data from 5,600 outlets, supplied the information. Although it was not cited in the report, the value of the total U.K. albums market last year was £1.089 billion ($1.7 billion), according to recent BPI figures (Bulletin, Feb. 10).

The "Now" series (EMI Virgin/UMTV) pressed on last year, accounting for the top three positions on the list of top-selling compilations. Among soundtracks, "8 Mile" (Interscope/Polydor) was the leader, but it ranked only 13th on the compilations list. Market share for original soundtracks fell from 2.5% to 1.9% in 2002. Dance music albums accounted for 27.5% of all compilations.

Dedicated music chains sold 40.8% of compilations last year, vs. 43% the year before. Supermarkets boosted their share of compilation sales to 24.9% from 22.6%.