Universal Music has revealed plans to sell its back-catalogue CDs at iTunes-matching prices, beginning in September. The company will split its CD offerings into three price and product ranges, The Guardian reports.
The basic CD range will consist of albums in cardboard cases priced at £6.92, which will not carry sleeve notes. The company tested this new format in Europe last year, where it sold three million of these budget CDs.
"There are lots of really good signs that the industry has a future thanks to digital, but we must not lose sight of the fact that 90 per cent of what we sell is physical goods. For over twenty years we have been selling the same standard package," said Max Hole, executive vice-president of marketing and A&R at Universal"s international division.
He observed reinvigorated interest in back-catalogue sales through digital music services, and reflected that lower prices lead to maximised sales. Also available will be a deluxe format, which will cost £19.99 and ship with a bonus CD or DVD. The existing jewel case CDs will also be revitalised, with the introduction of sturdier cases, the report explains.