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London (pte045/30.11.2004/14:10) - According to sales figures, over 72,000 copies of the new Band Aid single have been sold in the UK on its first day of release. As the BBC http://www.bbc.co.uk reports, that makes it the fastest-selling single of the year. According to HMV http://www.hmv.co.uk , it has shifted more copies than the rest of the top 30 combined. Estimates of how many copies the 2004 version of "Do they Know It's Christmas?" could sell by the end of the week range from 250,000 to 600,000. A Band Aid spokesman said they were "very, very happy" with Monday's sales.
"I think the single will continue to sell steadily in large quantities over the coming weeks to nudge it towards the million mark, which would be a fantastic achievement," said HMV spokesman Gennaro Castaldo.
If the single goes on to sell more than 500,000 copies, more than 1 million pounds (1.43 million euros) would be raised for charity. According to a Band Aid spokesman, almost 3 pounds (4.3 euros) from each single goes to the Band Aid Trust charity. English chancellor Gordon Brown has promised to refund the 70p (around 1 euro) that would have otherwise gone to the government as VAT. The CD is being sold for 3.99 pounds (5.74 euros).
The latest version features stars such as Dido, Robbie Williams and Chris Martin. The original version sold 750,000 copies in its first week and 3.5 million in total. This has only been surpassed by Sir Elton John's tribute to Princess Diana, Candle in the Wind '97. Money is also being raised through Internet downloads and mobile phone ringtones.
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