This LA Times article details the first sales growth at major label EMI since 2000, along the way citing some interesting figures. Digital sales (meaning online sales) grew 142 percent over the most recent quarter compared to a year ago, but at $81M against total revenue of $1.6B, digital sales still represent only five percent. Some analysts think the growth of digital sales will soon plateau, leaving that niche no more than a drop or two in the bucket. that's one reason that the majors are so intent on strong-arming Steve Jobs to raise retail prices in the iTMS, though it's unclear who has the stronger arm in that argument. IN the LA Times piece, David Munns, an EMI exec, is sourced as saying that he expects "compromise" with Jobs by next summer. That implies higher iTMS prices. The remark (and others by Alan Levy, chairman of EMI, have sparked some press.
