GET TOUGH ON THE MONDAY CHEATS.

Webbo's column Retail Sinners Pure & Simple seems to have ruffled feathers On both sides of the music industry by suggesting that nobody cares about the early sales of new release product. In my view he was spot on to highlight the issue, but wide of the target with his comments that small scale leaks might encourage retailers to ignore the agreement and sell big-name releases early on a regular basis.

The concessionary agreement to ship new releases early between members of Bard and the BPI was, and is, of great importance to everyone in the industry since it creates a level playing field by enabling all retailers to sell new release product as soon as they open their doors on a Monday morning. The record companies, with the help of Millward Brown, investigate reports of early sales (often with the help of sharp-eyed retailers) and the offending parties are warned that further transgressions will result in suspension of early deliveries to their store.

The loss of early deliveries should be a big blow to any retailer, yet last week all seven of the new entries in the Top 40 singles chart were sold early so obviously tho threat ...