most of the stuff nowadays isn't really worth buying..
decks no longer sellout guitars anymore and the whole DJ craze has fallen throughout the world, not only UK.
IMO if you weren't on the bandwagon you missed it. if the giants like Sony and EMI are affected by the turn of trends then smaller labels and artists have to be very cautious.
Hooj seemed to be doing fine until the vinyl craze dropped dramatically, as are Nukleuz's sales.
Vinyl came back from nigh extinction and has now, after another good try, been pushed down due to digital technology...
I would recommend following the path Vicious Circle have set. They are careful with their releases, only releasing good material and at practical times. The days of releasing tune after tune is over.
As for mp3 sales, following a discussion i had with some friends at BXR, mp3 sales are not the way to go about making money as a primary income. Compilations, rights and music videos seem to be the only way forward for the harder side of the scene
Look back onto the days where the harder markets were flourishing! The scene nowadays is swamped and swamped with everyone trying to take a bite out of a nigh dying animal.. the hard dance scene!
My advice would be to follow Vicious Circle's example. Good secure promotion, high calibre productions and good presentation.
If not try aim at another scene. Sentiment and personal tastes shouldn't get in the way of business decisions. Thats what they taught me at Law school anyway..