Is Taylor Swift about to earn her largest sales week of her career? Industry sources seem to think so.
According to Billboard, the singer’s sixth studio album, Reputation, sold about 700,000 copies in the U.S. during its first day. Though that’s already an impressive feat, the figure is expected to grow, as more and more retailers submit their sales reports to Neilsen Music.
Variety reports Buzz Angle’s Jim Lidestri anticipates 1.2 to 1.3 million in total first-week sales, meaning Reputation could surpass Swift’s 2014 project 1989, which racked in about 1.29 million sales right out the gate. Reputation could also secure Swift’s fourth studio album with a million-selling week, following 1989, 2012’s Red (1.21 million), and 2010’s Speak Now (1.05 million).
But those aren’t the only milestones Swift is expected to reach. The album is also on track to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (marking her fifth chart-topper), and could very well become 2017’s top-selling album after one week. Ed Sheeran, who makes a guest appearance on Reputation, currently holds that record with ÷ (909,000 copies sold).
Again, Reputation’s initial figures are noteworthy, but they aren’t close to previous forecasts. Prior to the album’s release, Swift's Big Machine Label Group predicted 2 million units would sold within the first week. Label analysts expressed their doubts to Billboard, with one stating: “that's got to include streaming, but even then I don't think they can make it.”
Reputation is only available for purchase at retailers and online. As we previously reported, the project is not expected to hit streaming services until next week.
