According to umbrella organisation the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), Irish consumers bought an average of 1.9 CDs in 2006, the fourth highest average per head of population in the world after Norway and the US (on 2.1 CDs) and the United Kingdom. Each Briton bought 2.7 CDs last year, a strong, if gradually declining result on previous years.

It may be good news for the majors given the rise in prominence of supermarkets in retailing music but it remains depressing news for the smaller stores who cannot compete with lossleading strategies and below-cost selling of music in supermarkets.

Last year saw particularly strong sales for Snow Patrol, whose Eyes Open album was the year's surprise best selling album.