According to the NPD overall sales fell 7.6 per cent compared to those recorded in November 2008. Year to date though the industry is up 7 per cent over 2007.

"The industry declined 7.6% versus last November, but still produced enough revenue to make this month the second-best November in industry history. YTD the industry is still up 7% over 2007. I think we all have to realize the incredible year that was 2008," explained NPD analyst Anita Frazier.

"Based on seasonality the industry looks like it will reach $20B for the year, which means December would have to be up over last year by 11 per cent. Impossible? I don't think so. More positive economic news combined with 'frugal fatigue' could positively impact industry sales during these last weeks of the holiday season. Breaking even seems more out of reach. In order to break even to last year, December sales would have to be up 36% over December 2008.

"There was even heavier promotional activity this year than normal, and while they seem to have benefitted hardware sales, they don't appear to have positively impacted software sales since unit sales of software are down even more than dollar sales are for that category."

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