One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful has enjoyed double-digit sales increases or better in a number of leading music markets following the band's Olympics closing ceremony performance.
The Syco single rose 68% in Italy, 50% week on week in Germany, 53% in Switzerland, 58% in the Netherlands, 44% in Australia and 33% in Norway, while doubling its sales in France and Spain, according to Nielsen Music figures. Its numbers were also up significantly in Canada, while there was a 4% rise in the US.
Other clear sales winners of the ceremony internationally include Virgin act Emeli Sande whose Read All About It Pt 3 she performed at the event made a prominent start in a number of Nielsen's download charts, including entering at nine in Norway, 16 in the Netherlands, 17 in Germany and 40 in Australia.
George Michael's decision to perform a new track, among some controversy, appears to have paid off with White Light's sales increasing significantly in a variety of markets, including Italy where it was up 43% on the week and Germany where its numbers rose 81% from a fairly modest base.
Among oldies performed at the Olympic Stadium swangsong, Oasis's Wonderwall appears to have fared the best with entries in digital charts across the globe. There were also prominent gains for John Lennon's Imagine, Jessie J's Price Tag and Kate Bush's Running Up That Hill.
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