ARIA Report: Overall Sales Up, Physical Sales Down

For the first time since 2009, ARIA have reported an increase in recorded music sales revenue across the industry with figures up four percent to $398.1 million.

Unsurprisingly, sales of digital music are to thank for this upturn with another sizeable growth in the amount of music being purchased in this format. In 2012 we purchased around 46 percent of our music digitally, up from 36.7 percent back in 2011.

Sadly this means there has been yet another decline in the amount of physical product purchased, though it is not as bad as the decline experienced last year. We purchased 6.42 percent less physical product in 2012, though the decline was a mammoth 13.85 percent this time last year.

With the music world turned on its head thanks to the prevalence of digital services in which consumers can access music, ARIA will continue to find ways to ensure artists, labels and all distribution channels are supported, ARIA Chairman Denis Handlin said.

“The Record Industry has revolutionised over the past decade and has led the way in new business models, in particular licensing digital services, whilst strongly supporting traditional CD retailers,” he said.

“While our work with Government and ISPs to ensure artists and their record labels are properly rewarded for their creative efforts is still far from finished, the demand for music is as strong as ever and Australian music fans are embracing the many legitimate platforms where an incredible range of local and international music is widely available.”