More Retail Exclusives

Christina Aguilera will release the greatest hits album, "Keeps Getting' Better - A Decade of Hits," on November 11. This isn't a huge news development other than the fact it will be a Target exclusive. I don't really see the significance of tying this particular greatest hits album solely to one retail outlet other than the strong possibility that the artist will be getting a much more substantial advance compared to what she would have received had this upcoming title been released via a traditional route.

One would think that there would be a better chance of widespread sales if this title were available at all retail outlets. It is a fourth quarter release, right on time for the holidays. Granted, a portion of Aguilera's audience will hit Target for one thing or another, but having a hits compilation by a popular entertainer widely available during the busiest shopping season of the year at multiple outlets might offer the best sales potential. Loads of consumers will be at Best Buy, Circuit City, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Wal-Mart, Target, etc as well as shopping online at popular retailers like Amazon - why limit the exposure of this album to one entity?

It is the same thing with AC/DC. The new, upcoming album is getting buzz, but if an interested consumer wants it, Wal-Mart will be their only choice. The Eagles moved a few million copies of their Wal-Mart exclusive last year, but other than getting The Eagles and Front Line handsomely paid, the album unfortunately left no lasting mark or impact. Will AC/DC fair any better?

Journey sold more records with their Wal-Mart exclusive than they had done in years, but was it because it was only available at one retailer? Or did other factors come into play such as some actual radio traction for the new single? Still, we are not talking a seven figure sales number either way.

The only people that benefit from these retail exclusives are established acts and their representatives that are looking for a big payday. And what is wrong with trying to secure as much money as possible? Nothing. But if the consumer gets robbed at the chance of easily or conveniently obtaining the music, something is wrong.

True record stores are basically gone from the landscape. CD sales are dwindling. Recorded music can be obtained in so many ways. It just isn't the same as it once was on any front. But, with all of the flaws from eras past, none of them were as bleak, uncreative, uninteresting and non-enjoyable for the fan as the way business is currently being done with regards to the sale of physical product. These retail exclusives are just another sad reminder of how bad things have become. It used to be so much fun.