CAN BACKSTREET BOYS BE
FIRST-WEEK 2 MILLIONAIRES?

The Backstreet Boys album, "Black & Blue," hit retail yesterday with a bang. And while initial reports indicate the album may approach 2 million, barring an "unprecedented" holiday shopping weekend, it will probably not threaten NSYNC's record 2.4 million.

Best Buy's Lon Lindeland expressed the prevailing attitude about first-day sales. Good—but not record-breaking. "Even though it looks like they will probably just miss NSYNC's total, I think that everyone should be thrilled with these first-day numbers. And Friday and Saturday on a Thanksgiving day weekend are wild cards. Anything could happen. But when we sell 80,000 units in one day, obviously our customers are enthusiastic and out there early."

Retailers were generally optimistic about the album's prospects over what is traditionally the two heaviest shopping days of the year, with estimates now in the 1.5-2m range. The group caused a near-riot when they led a crowd of media and fans into the Virgin Megastore in Times Square Manhattan, while a day-of-release instore in the San Fernando Valley drew about 150 diehards. Most retailers indicate first-day numbers are not approaching NSYNC's "No Strings Attached," which established the 2.4 million mark the Backstreet Boys camp was determined to break with the new album.

The weekend should also go a long way towards evaluating the effects of the massive Wal-Mart promotion—the chain is selling the album for $9.88 with an exclusive track—one that is causing competing retailers no small degree of consternation.