Mr Brian McLaughlin, managing director of the HMV chain, said his shops were still selling 'as many copies as we can lay our hands on'. The popularity of compact disc players is also boosting music sales.
"I think this is wonderful news," said Sue Wilson of Trumbull, Conn., who was shopping at an HMV record store here yesterday.
Indeed, with HMV celebrating its 75th anniversary in 1996, a bronze Nipper may soon be listening intently to His Master's Voice in Southgate's office.
The HMV music chain saw profits advance to Pounds 6.5m (Pounds 1.9m).
HMV, in fact, is going to celebrate the death of the long box at its two New York stores next weekend.