The anticipated positive effect of Live 8 on the album market evaporated in the wake of the terrorist bombs in London, which resulted in subdued trading for the rest of the week, writes Alan Jones.

Consequently, the album market dipped by 1.9% week-on-week to 2,868,121, while the singles market's previously substantial gains were capped at 3%, with sales in the week of 847,288. Physical singles sales were off 6.8% at 374,547 but downloads prospered by 12.3% to 471,601 - their ...