I swear to god as late as the first quarter of this year, the general price for new release CDs in supermarkets and Woolworths, especially those that were predicted to sell well, was £8.99, and in some cases £7.99.

 

This has clearly all stopped though - this week's three biggest sellers, Kings Of Leon, Will Young and James Morrison, I've not found for under £9.99 anywhere in a bricks and mortar store, and it is now commonplace to see albums in Zavvi and HMV back up to £10.99+.

 

I find it peculiar that this phenomenon has not been more widely remarked upon in the industry or at least the business pages of the newspapers - I swear a few years ago the 'price wars' among supermarkets driving down prices was (relatively) big news.

 

Does anyone have a theory as to why these price changes have occurred, and why there hasn't been much comment on it?

Lucky U! £9.99 or £10.99 is cheap. Here in my country full-version CDs are about £19.99!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have some Eastern European versions (with no booklet, 1 page front cover) under £10.00! :(

Most weeks our two supermarkets (Morissons and Tesco) have that weeks 'big' album at a discounted price (usually £6.99 or £7.99) so they do still do it. This is the reason I tend to buy most of my CDs at supermarkets now, music shops (including Woolworths - who have just gone downhill loads these past couple of years) are too expensive (that and the fact that I pass then everyday). For a week back in July Morrissons had all of their albums (including the brand new ones) for just £6. Can't get better then that! :D

Edited October 3, 200816 yr by Glyn

All 3 albums you mentioned (Will Young, Kings Of Leon & James Morission) are £9.97 in Tesco..

Kings of Leon was apparently £6.99 in Morrisons on release week, and was £10 in Zavvi.

Maybe because all the highly anticipated new albums are coming out so they know for sure they'll make the money ^_^

I blame the credit crunch!! Everything else has gone up like food so they've put CD's up too.

Edited October 4, 200816 yr by Crazy Chris

Maybe because all the highly anticipated new albums are coming out so they know for sure they'll make the money ^_^

 

I think you are on the money!

 

This seems to happen virtually every year when we get to the biggest quarter of the year for new albums/sales.

 

To be honest when I think back to the late 1980s when chart CDs were £11.99 or £12.99 in the UK, then most people cannot complain as in real terms taking account for inflation CDs would be costing over £18 now.

I think you are on the money!

 

This seems to happen virtually every year when we get to the biggest quarter of the year for new albums/sales.

 

To be honest when I think back to the late 1980s when chart CDs were £11.99 or £12.99 in the UK, then most people cannot complain as in real terms taking account for inflation CDs would be costing over £18 now.

 

Exactly. CDs are practically the only things that have gone down in price in the last 10 years! And you can't say it is unreasonable to pay £10 for something that has cost tens of thousands of pounds to produce and promote and gives you hours of entertainment.

CD's and DVD's are still good value for money in my eyes...I never pay more than £10 for an artist album but I think that's a fair price to pay...

 

I remember paying £12.99 back in 2000 so they are still a lot lower than they were

Sainsburys also do the latest CDs for a lower price than other places. But ever since downloads have happened the CD format needs more money to pay the artists, the people who made the CD, photographers, people who made the booklet along with all the producers and writters.

I've seen some albums go for £12 in HMV. But on the other hand, I love their 2 for £10 offers. :D Got Pendulum - Hold Your Colour [Duluxe] and Muse - Black Holes and Revelations. Bargain. =D

I noticed exactly this the day before yesterday! Asda don't do any offers anymore which is really annoying because it's more convenient than going into town every Monday to get whatever new release I want. I've been waiting for weeks to buy 7 CDs and end up leaving them because none were below £10 so i'm going to get them off Amazon, much cheaper!!

Went into WW today to get what I wanted. KOL and WY were £9.95, James Morrison £10.95 :o

 

I'm going to order on line instead.

I remember buying Mika's album for £6.99 the week it came out in Asda and they also had the new Coldplay album for just £7 for the first week but this doesn't happen now.

Edited October 4, 200816 yr by Crazy Chris

Albums are usually about £9.77 (or some other random price) in Tesco where I live.

When I bought the KoL album last week it cost me £10.97 from Woolworths though :(

I went to Asda yesterday KOL and Will £9.97 James morrison £8.97 online seems the best place to order and you get free P&P.

I think it depends where you go and what offers are available. Prices are lower than in recent years for sure. Madonna's Hard Candy is £6 in HMV, Jordin Sparks is £8 and Will young is £9.99.