Record Industry Scores Hit in ’90

While other retailers were singing the blues last year, the record industry was enjoying its best sales ever, according to a Recording Industry Assn. of America report.

Sales volume in 1990 rose 14.6% to $7.5 billion based on the suggested list price, compared to $6.5 billion in 1989. Shipments rose 7.3%, with 865.7 million units shipped, against 806.7 million units the year before, the RIAA reported.

Industry sources attributed the growth largely to compact disc sales, which rose 38.2% last year; the growing number of music retailers and the inclusion of music videos in the sales count for the first time.