Music retailers challenged as buyers tune into digital download future

[Kristijntje]

They're dropping like flies.

Musicland, the parent company of several music retailing chains, has filed for bankruptcy. Its MediaPlay stores were shuttered last month. Earlier this week, its Sam Goody chain announced the closure of seven CD stores across Colorado and more than 340 similar stores across the nation.

West Coast indie legends such as Rhino Records and Aron's recently have shut down. In Denver, Cheapo Discs has closed two stores.

... digital downloading of music off the Internet is exploding. In 2005, more than 350 million songs were downloaded, a 150 percent jump over 2004. Digital album sales soared by 194 percent.

full article: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mu...24,00.html