iTunes passes Wal-Mart in US music sales race - Business - Evening Standard
       

iTunes passes Wal-Mart in US music sales race

Apple's iTunes online music store has overtaken Wal-Mart Stores as the largest music retailer in the US.

Apple says iTunes had 50 million customers who bought more than four billion songs since the store opened five years ago. It sold more albums in January and February than any other US retailer, market research firm NPD Group said.

The company faces a new challenge from News Corp's MySpace social networking site, which has formed an online music venture with three record labels, but has so far brushed off rivals.

NPD Group analyst Russ Crupnick predicted that Apple's dominance would continue.

"If you look at what is happening to the CD and the growth of the digital side, it's a pattern that will hold," he said.

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