NPD Group's February sales data shows that satellite radio retail sales demand has risen slightly from January, but is still down in the annual comparison. Year-over-year retail sales fell 33% in February, an increase from the 44% drop in January (and 46% drop in December). Remember that this time last year was when we were just beginning to slide down the Stern Effect, so YoY comparisons are going to get easier from this point forward.
The Quick Glance:
- Sirius February 2007 Retail Sales:
Down 31% YoY - XM February 2007 Retail Sales:
Down 35% YoY
- Sirius Feb '07 Retail Marketshare: 56%
- XM Feb '07 Retail Marketshare: 44%
Sirius continues its lead in retail marketshare, gaining a percentage point from January (if your math is rusty: Sirius had 55% retail marketshare in January, while XM had 45%). Still, considering the dismal retail sales numbers from December (particularly for XM) any signs of improvement is good news.
Baring any unforeseen hickups in production, we can easily expect retail sales YoY numbers to rise in the coming months.
I wonder how much the subscriber gap has narrowed...
I predict by this time next year Sirius will pass XM in subs.
Wonder if that will happen before the merger...
Sirius beating XM in retail once again? Holy shit their kicking their ass. XM really needed this merger.
If the waning of the Stern Effect is the primary reason for the YoY decline for Sirius, then why is XM's decline steeper?
You'd almost think that the Stern Effect boosted XM's subs more than Sirius!