The British music industry is confident it will overcome a recent decline in record sales with a series of major album releases this Autumn. The UK record industry was initially not affected by a global decline in record sales, but this year has been slow. The Elvis compilation and a new Rolling Stones album are expected to perform well in October, and then U2, Westlife and Craig David will all release new albums on ‘super Monday’ – 11 Nov. A week later Robbie's next album is expected to boost sales in the lead up to Christmas.
"'Super Monday' is traditionally huge," HMV’s Gennaro Castaldo told NME. "This year there are major releases from U2, Westlife, Shania Twain and, provisionally, Craig David. But Robbie Williams especially is something people seem to respond to. His new album is a real bonus. It was already looking like being a bumper run-up to Christmas, but now with Robbie it looks like being the biggest ever."
Ironically given Robbie’s expected role in bolstering the UK record industry, Williams is currently without record deal. A bidding war continues between outgoing label EMI and most of the other major labels with a £40 million asking price. Word is distribution, promotions and marketing of the forthcoming album is being arranged by his management company IE Music. Some are suggesting he may not sign to a major at all. Though unlikely this would be something of a landmark in the music industry – some suggest that in the download age management companies may become the giants of the industry rather than the record labels. That said, Williams is likely to need a major label behind him if he is ever to truly break the US.