And how is the war affecting entertainment sales?

The news is bad throughout the arts and entertainment industry, with business down for book and record stores, museums, movie theaters and Broadway shows. If the war has led some to seek escape in comedy such as the Steve Martin-Queen Latifah movie "Bringing Down the House," others have decided to stay home. [...]
The top 12 movies grossed $87.3 million for the weekend ending March 30, down 24 percent compared to the same weekend a year ago. Those who did show up looked for laughs, with "Head of State" and "Bringing Down the House" the biggest hits at the box office. [...]
According to Nielsen SoundScan, album sales through March 30 have dropped around 9 percent compared to last year, from 160.5 million units to 144.6 million. On Broadway last week, total box-office receipts for 27 shows fell to $12.5 million, down from nearly $12.9 million the previous week.
The war has affected both independent booksellers, the core members of the American Booksellers Association, and the superstore chains. Borders Group Inc. issued a statement earlier this week saying it expects a loss in the first quarter, citing disappointing sales.

posted by James Russell | 1:29 PM