brick and mortar

Today's music industry is often one step forward, one or two steps back. As progress is made in new formats, products and services, revenue is lost in the abandonment of older formats and products. With unlimited mobile music services on the horizon, now is the time to ponder their impact.

From the blog of Jupiter analyst David Card, a list of things physical media need to do in the 21st century:

Entertainment retailers are having mixed success in lessening their dependence on CD sales. Hastings reported lower earnings earlier this week. Its comp revenue was up 0.6% and gains in other product categories helped make up for an 11.7% slide in music sales.

Homeschoolers across the nation are celebrating the latest judicial decision which affirms their right to teach their children at home.

The use of the word "still" in the title really isn't necessary. iTunes isn't going to lose enough market share in just a few months to Amazon.com to drop below Wal-Mart. From today's NPD press release:

First the blogosphere connected artists virtually ignored by radio and media to a potential audience of millions.  Now, Derek Webb and company are connecting that audience to free music which label’s have been unable to sell large amounts of using traditional methods like brick and mortar stores and discount stickers.

Music Business Of Old, meet the latest nail in your coffin.

• In an effort to improve margins, Universal Music Group will bring back deluxe editions of CD releases for the fourth quarter (at least in the UK). Standard versions will also be available. (Music Week)

Paste just issued a list (that will appear in their July issue) of the 17 coolest records stores in America, and it makes sense ole Music City would have at least one on the list. But surprise, we've got two. Guess which two?

BusinessWeek.com has an article on brick-and-mortar retail's adjustment to falling CD sales. New York City's Other Music is a centerpiece of the article.

• Wal-Mart is pushing two new albums at its online and brick-and-mortar stores. The pre-order of Mariah Carey's E=MC2 comes with an interview and an immediate MP3 download. Bryan Adams' 11, out May 13, will be an exclusive to Wal-Mart and Sam's Club. (Digital Music News)