[Translation] [2013] ayu loses sales record to AKB48 (Article)

[kiseki89]

Originally Posted by Misa-chan

This single contains a serial number voting card to allow fans to decide who gets to be centre in the "AKB48 32nd single general elections" (vote counting to be held on 8 June at Yokohama Nissan Stadium). The four contenders are Watanabe Mayu (19), Shimazaki Haruka (19), Ooshima Yuuko (24) and Itano Tomomi (21). The 16 members with the highest votes will be selected to sing the cover song for their next release (to be released in August).

■ Overall bestselling artiste for singles (Female) TOP 3
1. AKB48... 21.85 million (Manatsu no Sounds good! / 1.822 million)
2. Hamasaki Ayumi... 21.416 million (monochrome / 1.631 million)
3. Amuro Namie... 16.558 million (CAN YOU CELEBRATE? / 2.296 million)

I believe that plays a huge role in the sales...
Anyway i think they should avg the figures out according to number of person in the group...

[November4]

Originally Posted by kiseki89

I believe that plays a huge role in the sales...
Anyway i think they should avg the figures out according to number of person in the group...

Yup.

Imagine if 1 in 10 singles had a ticket for a meet & greet with Ayu, wouldn't you buy more than 1? Her sales would sky-rocket. And sometimes AKB48's singles with these tickets are a lot cheaper than regular singles.

I actually find it quite unfair, like how in western music industry they now take YouTube views into consideration and lady gaga always tweets her fans to links that endlessly loop her video.