Music industry experts are predicting that Robbie Williams’ forthcoming album, ‘Escapology’, could give the UK’s ailing music market a much-needed boost.

According to recent figures, UK record sales suffered a 15 percent drop this year, in comparison to 2001.

It’s hoped that Robbie’s album plus releases from the likes of U2, Westlife and Craig David will get the cash registers jangling. However, the ex-Take That star is the one who everyone’s watching, following the massive success of his ‘Swing When You’re Winning’ album last winter.

“Robbie Williams especially is something people seem to respond to,” HMV spokesperson Gennaro Castaldo told nme.com, “His new album is a real bonus. It was already looking like being a bumper run-up to Christmas, but now with Robbie it looks like being the biggest ever.”

Although industry hopes are resting on Robbie to revive flagging sales, he’s yet to decide which label will release ‘Escapology’.

Robbie is to perform his next single, ‘Feel’, for the first time at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Barcelona on the 14th of November.