HMV and Virgin go head to head in digital market.(introduced digital download services)(Brief Article)

HMV and Virgin, the two biggest names in high street music sales, both launched digital download services at the start of September.

Although the services will allow music fans to buy tunes online, they are promoted heavily in-store.

HMV Digital, developed in conjunction with Microsoft, has a catalogue of more than 1.3 million tracks and is supported by a strong in-store presence.

"Each HMV store has a dedicated area where shoppers can try out the software and speak to trained HMV staff about the service," says HMV ecommerce director John Taylor. Tracks cost 79p each and albums #7.99.

Virgin Digital is also being promoted heavily in …