Dixons makes music with Napster

Dixons Group has signed a deal with Napster which will see the retailer promote the online music service across its Dixons, PC World, The Link and Currys stores.

Under the terms of the partnership Dixons will also stock Napster music software and Napster-branded products.

Napster heralded the alliance as the first agreement of its kind between a British consumer electronics retailer and an online music provider.

Dixons Group will offer UK consumers Napster 2.0 software preloaded on all own-brand Advent, Ei System and Patriot PCs, together with an offer for a Napster Premium service subscription.

"The market for online music in the UK has huge potential and we will drive this new development by demystifying the subscription options for consumers," said John Clare, Dixons Group chief executive, in a statement.

"The combination of Napster's services and communities and Dixons Group's retailing skills will create an unrivalled digital music experience for our customers."

Napster president Brad Duea said: "This is an extremely important deal for Napster in the UK and represents a significant development in the evolution of the UK music market."