Lugnut, in talking to a Sam Goody store manager this weekend (we've been friends for years), she confirms what you have said, plus the contract for Universal also demands free storefront advertising. Innocent and unaware me didn't know that all those displays up front are paid for by the big music companies; I thought they were made by the parent company/owner. In order to get the reduced CD wholesale price, stores must also lose advertising dollars as well. And if they don't sign the contract, we music buying people still want the cheaper list price, reducing store margin.
That's a pretty sick game they are playing...
That's a pretty sick game they are playing...