On attendance I was surprised to see many people sifting through shelves, looking at each CD carefully, picking out piles of discs to buy. It's the first time I've seen anything of the sort in a JB HiFi for a long time. Usually you'll see someone buying one CD or two at the most, and always suspect they're buying them for a gifts, not themselves. It had the feel of the old second-hand CD/record fairs. Enthusiasm for music.
I feel alone in my frequent CD purchasing world, but now I know, at least when there is a sale on, there are others like me.
What confused me a little though is why the interest? Yes, 20% off isn't to be sneezed at, but it isn't amazing. Most of the time you can get similar discounts with just a little internet work, if you're willing to import.
The mood in the place was one of 50% off, not 20%. Is it an indication that CDs are just that little bit too expensive and just a nudge lower would increase their popularity? I doubt it... I think people just love a sale...
On a related note... iTunes cards were also 20% off. So a $50 iTunes card only cost $40, making your typical song about $1.36 instead of $1.69. I still question how it can be possible to discount iTunes vouchers in this way. Presumably 20% (probably actually 30%) of the iTunes voucher cost goes to the retailer, and presumably out of the money Apple keeps from the $1.69 (which I've heard is around 30%, recent numbers have been difficult to confirm). I'd hate to think the artists are also paying for these discounts.