Big guns fired up for Q4: superstars target Christmas market.(Retail)

Retailers can look forward to a bumper fourth quarter this year, with many of the world's biggest artists preparing new studio albums for the end of the year.

In contrast to last year's Christmas market--which was largely driven by greatest hits albums and studio sets continuing to sell from earlier in the year--the final three months of 2004 will take in one of the strongest release schedules of new music for several years. This should help the UK market to sustain the growth achieved so far this year; sales of artist albums are currently up around 3% compared with 2003.

Among the biggest-selling names re-emerging are U2, Kings Of Leon, Green Day, Destiny's Child, Elton John, REM, Nelly, Westlife, Jamiroquai, Joss Stone, Daniel Bedingfield and Jennifer Lopez, all of whom will have new albums released between September and November. Other names are yet to be confirmed.

Although the Christmas market win be less reliant on best ofs, a host of greatest hits collections from Robbie Williams, Britney Spears, Blue, Ronan Keating, Marilyn Mauson, Super Furry Animals, Seal and The Verve will add farther weight to an already impressive release schedule.

Among the busiest ...