Catalogue releases have accounted for more than half of all albums sold in the US in the first nine months of 2012.
In a market showing an overall 4.4% decline in album sales, catalogue releases have posted a 3.7% year-on-year sale gain in the period, according to new Nielsen Soundscan figures.
Sales of 'old' albums have increased to 110.5 million units compared to 106.6 million units in the first nine months of 2011.
Meanwhile, current ('new') album sales drop 11.5% to 107.8 million units from 121.9 million units, reports Billboard.
However, the lead of catalogue over new album releases was greater in the first half of the year. At the six-month point of 2012, catalogue albums were up 5.4% on 2011.
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