Released on September 20, 1989, it was received with excitement from most critics but consumer sales were quite low.
In the US, digital books account for 6% of consumer sales.
But a real sign of hard times in consumer sales and advertising comes from that old reliable, drink, where the indicators are well down.
It plans to shift its attention to consumer sales next year.
The direct consequences of the trade center disaster are bad enough, but the drop in consumer sales may prove drastic as well.
During the same period, the research firm estimates that consumer sales over the Internet will rise from $3.9 billion to $108 billion.
It has had some success - consumer sales rose 26 percent in the first quarter compared with the year before.
In the home video industry, sell-through simply refers to consumer sales.
And consumer sales are where the money is.
In his judgment, consumer sales are the best available yardstick.