The XL album finished as the past year's biggest seller after shifting 18.1 million copies worldwide, easily beating the highest previous tally recorded by the IFPI for Eminem's The Eminem Show in 2002. His album sold 13.9 million units that calendar year.

Adele claims two of 2011's Top 10 sellers with her debut 19 occupying sixth position, while there is also a double Top 10 appearance for Universal artist Rihanna whose Loud finishes in eighth position while follow-up Talk That ...