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Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales data for ''Billboard'' on March 1 , 1991 and the first Hot 100 chart to debut with the system was released on November 30 1991 . Previously, ''Billboard'' tracked sales by calling stores across the U.S. and asking about sales; a method that was inherently error-prone and open to outright fraud. The Recording Industry Association Of America also tracks sales (or more specifically, shipments less potential returns) on a long-term basis through the RIAA Certification system; it has never used either Nielsen SoundScan or the store-calling method. HOW NIELSEN SOUNDSCAN TRACKS SALES Sales data from Cash Register s is collected from 14,000 retail, mass merchant, and non-retail (online stores) outlets in Canada and the U.S. Though this includes all major brick-and-mortar retailers, it is not a 100% sample of record sales; it excludes music clubs as well as some independent retailers and online outlets. In comparison, RIAA's system is a 100% sample of shipments, but does not track actual sales in real-time as Nielsen SoundScan does. A Barcode is on the back of most label-released CDs or Cassettes . When the Canadian/U.S. customer is about to buy an album or single, the store clerk runs the barcode across a scanner. The sale is put into the store's computer and the sale data is also sent to Nielsen Media Research offices for the region. Nielsen SoundScan clients include:
SINGLE SALES IN PERSPECTIVE American single sales have suffered since Billboard started allowing album cuts on its Hot 100 chart. Nowadays, a single has to sell around 140,000 copies to reach no 1 on the Hot 100; however, sales amounts for singles are rarely given by Billboard. The songs that rank highest on the Hot 100 are those that have high Radio airplay impressions. In 2005, single sales have fared better than they have in years since Billboard started tracking digital downloads from online music stores such as ITunes , Rhapsody , and Musicmatch . Sales of digital downloads have increased more than 200% from last year; however, sales of CD singles are down about 60% from last year. ALBUM SALES
TOP-SELLING ALBUMS 1991-2006 (American Album Sales Only) REFERENCES
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