Virgin cashes in on downloads with giveaway

Virgin Megastores aims to capitalise on the emerging digital download market with a promotion offering free tracks to customers.

The retailer is offering shoppers who download£25 of music from its site a further£25 worth of downloads free. The offer runs until September 22.

Although sales of digital downloads account for less than 1 per cent of the music market, entertainment retailers accept that it will become increasingly important.

Apple's iTunes music download service has sold more than 5 million tracks since launching in Europe three months ago.