Apple claims top US music retail spot

Apple has overtaken Wal-Mart to become the biggest music retailer in the US, outselling the big CD retailers for the first time.

Sales at iTunes over January and February also surpassed Best Buy and Amazon, which took third and fourth places respectively.

"We launched iTunes less than five years ago, and it has now become the number one music retailer in the world," said Eddy Cue, vice president of iTunes at Apple.

"We are thrilled, and would like to thank all our customers for helping us reach this incredible milestone."

Apple quoted sales figures from market research firm NPD Group, which counts one CD as representing 12 tracks, confirming the company's status as number one music retailer.

Hot on the heels of Apple's milestone, MySpace yesterday announced a joint venture with Sony BMG, Warner Music and Universal to offer a music download service that will go head-to-head with iTunes.

The company described MySpace Music as a "360-degree global solution" that would "evolve users ability to discover, share and socialise by adding commerce and music management tools".

See also:

iTunes pricing revamp takes on P2P sites

One-off charge provides all-you-can-eat iTunes tracks  20 Mar 2008

Limewire opens DRM-free music shop

File sharing network offers legit option  19 Mar 2008

Channel 4 strikes deal with iTunes

UK broadcaster plays catch up with the BBC  19 Mar 2008

Rumours fly over Beatles catalogue

Ballad of Apple and Apple winding to a close?  10 Mar 2008

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