International Demand for Sheet Music Propels Sheet Music Plus' Overseas Sales Beyond 20 Percent

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Jan. 19 /CNW/ -- Reflecting the timeless appeal of printed and bound sheet music in the digital age, Sheet Music Plus (www.sheetmusicplus.com), the leading online provider of sheet music, today announced its thriving global success. In 2009, the U.S.-based company experienced 22 percent overall international growth spanning several dozen markets, including U.K., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, and many more. Despite last year's tough economy, the company successfully shipped nearly 600,000 orders worldwide, fortifying its position as the industry leader in the online printed sheet music market. With a history of extensive profitable growth, Sheet Music Plus ended 2009 with annual revenue of almost $25 million. Sheet Music Plus ships between 2,000 and 5,000 orders daily to destinations in 170 countries.

"Music is the universal language, but every country faces unique challenges when locally sourcing printed music, especially when it comes to less common instruments and obscure compositions," said Keith Cerny, CEO of Sheet Music Plus. "As a result, music lovers have gravitated toward our site since we offer the world's widest selection of printed sheet music combined with the ability to ship to most corners of the world."

In order to optimize the shopping experience for both domestic and international customers, the company launched a new, state-of-the-art data center. The company also made extensive enhancements to its website, including important improvements to its on-site search and provision of local currency conversion in dozens of markets. Sheet Music Plus sells music for all major genres - including classical and baroque, rock and popular, jazz, Christian, choral, Broadway, and movies / TV. It also sells a wide range of instructional materials for school bands, choirs and orchestras.

Illustrating the company's international success, the following is Sheet Music Plus' percentage of year over year growth in select markets: Australia (21%), United Kingdom (20%), Canada (16%), France (34%), Germany (14%), Spain (39%), Japan (32%), Netherlands (22%), Italy (24%), Belgium (20%), Ireland (14%), Norway (8%), Finland (34%), Greece (65%), Sweden (12%), Switzerland (30%), and Denmark (30%). In addition, Q4 grew relative to Q3 in the following markets, based on a number of site enhancements directed at the international market: Mexico (27%), Israel (50%), Portugal (38%), Russia (92%), and more than 100% in Poland, China, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia and Croatia.

About Sheet Music Plus

Headquartered in Emeryville, California - part of the San Francisco Bay Area - Sheet Music Plus provides the largest selection of sheet music to most locations in the world. With annual revenue of $25 million, Sheet Music Plus has an industry-leading catalog of more than 555,000 titles spanning a multitude of music genres from the most specialized to the most popular for all types of musicians, teachers, and instruments. For more corporate and product information, please visit our website: www.SheetMusicPlus.com