France Sees Sales Rise Music Market Bucks European Trend

In contrast to the recent downturn in the German and Dutch music markets, French music sales rose both in units and value during the first half of 2001, according to figures released by labels body SNEP.

Shipments in France from January to June this year were up 9.2% in value from the first half of 2000 to 3.57 billion francs ($502 million) at trade prices, representing a total of 74.4 million units—up 5.5%, compared with the first half of the previous year. First-half figures from other leading European markets released earlier this year showed double-figure drops in value, with Germany (Billboard, Sept. 1) and the Netherlands (Billboard, Sept. 22) reporting slumps of almost 13% and more than 10%, respectively.

The new SNEP figures show France as a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy European market. The U.K. is another bright spot. There, first-half sales were up by almost 10% in value (Billboard, Aug. 24). According to figures from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, in terms of retail value, France was the world's fifth-biggest music market in 2000. It was also the third-biggest market in Europe, behind the U.K. and Germany.

SNEP managing director Hervé Rony says that the growth rate witnessed during the first quarter of the year in France continued during the second quarter. Rony notes that album sales were up 5% in units and 8% in value over the six months and that they are driving the market. Singles sales were also up, with a 4.5% growth in value and a 4% growth in units.

French Acts On Rise

According to Rony, French acts did exceptionally well during the year's first half. Eight of the 10 best-selling albums for the first half were of French origin, including those by Garou (Columbia) and Daft Punk (Virgin), as well as a Romeo and Juliet musical (Mercury), and Manu Chao (Virgin)—which, Rony says, "is developing very well internationally." French-speaking artists accounted for 67% of total album sales, according to SNEP.

Five of the top 10 best-selling singles during the first half were also French, including Alizée's "L'Alizée," Garou's "Seul," Matt's "R 2 Rue," and MC Solaar's "Hasta la Vista." During the period, 42% of the singles making the SNEP singles chart were by French or French-speaking acts, against 37.6% for the same period the year before. Rony says such growth is a good omen for the whole year, as the industry prepares to enter the pre-Christmas period, the busiest of the year.

SNEP members are preparing for its annual general meeting later this month, at which a new president will be elected, following the resignation in June of Marc Lumbroso. In the interim, SNEP vice president Gilles Bressand, chief executive of indie label XIII Bis Records, will serve as president.



Additional reporting by Tom Ferguson in London.