ONE-DAY SALES: HOLIDAY HICCUP!

That year-end sales explosion everyone’s been talking about is showing no signs of letting up, as busy holiday shoppers continue to snap up stuff with which to stuff their stockings—and we’re not talking about those cucumbers in Spinal Tap.

After all, giving someone the gift of an illegally burned CD made from illegally downloaded files—complete with the possibility of a knock on the door from the local RIAA death squad—is just so... well, gauche.

After last week’s major sales gains, with 31 albums selling over 100k, early reports from national accounts indicate that the current week will yield (duh) more of the same. Mercury/IDJ’s Shania Twain, whose new one just closed its fourth week at #1 on sales of 380k, should see yet another uptick this week. But watch out for the furious charge being mounted by Open Wide/Columbia’s Dixie Chicks: Fueled by last week’s hugely successful network television special, they more than doubled their sales last week, logging an amazing111% gain.

And the rush on Home is far from over, according to reports. In fact, it’s not out of the question that the Chicks could catch Shania next week, with both records topping 400k. It should, at the very least, be a good ol’ down-home, old-timey horse race.

Meanwhile, Columbia’s Nas, whose new album was released last Friday (12/13) and entered the charts this week at #21 on sales of 144k, will also see big gains. According to those white-coated retail prognosticators we all hold so dear, God’s Son won't quite double in sales, but should do well over 200k for the week, with a shot at 300k.

Other huge gainers will no doubt include Norah Jones (up almost 70% last week), Josh Groban (up almost 40% last week) and Avril Lavigne (up 50% last week). Those increases could be even bigger this week. We almost wish we were around to enjoy it. Almost.

In fact, customer and retailer alike should truly appreciate the remainder of this oh-so-joyous holiday season...because we’re not publishing for the next two weeks. Don’t say we never gave you anything.

Have a holly jolly whatever it is you celebrate. We’ll be back next year to bring you more exciting tales of foreign invasions, big-oil exploits and CIA hit lists. Can’t wait? Neither can we.