Woolworths to build on music preview service

Woolworths has revealed plans to expand its recently launched online music preview service, designed to cut Internet piracy.

The retailer is unique in offering online customers who pre-order an album the opportunity to download a digital copy to their computer at the time of purchase.

The service, delivered by Woolworths' Entertainment UK business, is limited to selected albums. However, the retailer is in talks with record companies to include all new releases in future.

Entertainment UK spokesman Richard Linstead said the idea is to combat one of the main reasons for Internet piracy - the fact that fans are eager to hear an album ahead of its official release.