In 2017, the major labels made marketshare gains on the independent sector, with Max Lousada’s Warner Music up 0.8% year-on-year to 18.3%, Jason Iley's Sony Music rising 0.2% to 24.6% and David Joseph’s UMG staying put at 35%. The independent sector, meanwhile, was down 1%.

Over the last five years, highest riser Warner has increased its share by 7%—more than any other major. Its success last year was in part down to Ed Sheeran and his multi-million selling ÷ on Ben Cook’s Atlantic. Sheeran had two of his albums among the Top 10 sellers of 2017, where he was joined by fellow Warner Bros. solo star Liam Gallagher—whose labelmate Dua Lipa was the most streamed female artist of last year—and ADA-distributed Stormzy.

Over at Sony U.K., the label enjoyed its highest marketshare of all time last year, and second consecutive year of growth. Its singles share was the biggest this decade, and it recorded a biggest-ever share across compilations, album market share, as well as the overall AES stat.

On the imprint leaderboard, David Dollimore-led RCA came in second place with 8.1%. The standout Sony acts of last year included Rag’n’Bone Man (Columbia), whose debut Human is 3x platinum, Paloma Faith who hit #1 with fourth album The Architect (RCA), selling more than 200k to date, and a second #1 album from London Grammar (Ministry of Sound), as well as breakout J Hus (Black Butter).

Over at market leader UMG U.K., Ted Cockle’s Virgin EMI is the #1 imprint with an AES share of 9.9%. Acts of note last year included Top 10 best sellers Sam Smith (Capitol) and Michael Ball & Alfie Boe (Decca). Loyle Carner (Virgin EMI) was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize for his debut, while the new leaders at Polydor, Ben Mortimer and Tom March, had two acts nominated for BRITs Critics Choice: Stefflon Don and Mabel.

As a reminder: numbers are calculated using the AES (Album Equivalent Sales) metric. That comprises physical and digital album sales, track equivalent albums (where 1k streams = one album) and budget albums.