Woolworths has taken the decision to stop selling the humble CD single this year, paving the way for a future chart compiled solely from digital downloads.
The high street retailer has traditionally been one of the biggest sales contributors to the weekly Top 40, often deciding with its own in-store marketing policies which song which will reach the top spot on a given week. However, it says the format has been in "terminal decline" and CD's will be removed from shelves by August.
It will still continue to stock occasional big releases however, such as the X Factor Christmas releases which traditionally sell hundreds of thousands of copies.
Jim Batchelor, Woolworths commercial director, said: "Digital downloading is now the true customer choice for listening and purchasing single music tracks.
"CDs are alive and well for album sales, but unfortunately the physical singles market is in terminal decline."
