CD could die out in five years says HMV chief

(the sun) THE CD could die out in FIVE YEARS - the boss of HMV claims.

Chief exec Simon Fox said the market would be worth just £300 million in three years' time.

This compares with almost £900 million last year.

Beyond 2016, CDs would be like vinyl - with little presence in a store.

Fox said: "There will be a place for CDs, but it's difficult to see out more than five years."

The market for CDs hit an all-time high in 2004 - when we bought 162 million. Last year sales plunged 12 per cent to 98.5 million.

HMV has given almost a quarter of its latest stores over to "technology" - such as headphones and iPods.

Sales across the chain dived 15 per cent in the 18 weeks to September 3.