Destiny’s Child at No. 1

‘TIS the season of the hits, a year-end record industry tradition that Destiny’s Child capitalizes on this week, capping its career with another No. 1 debut on the nation’s album sales chart with its new “#1’s” collection.

The hits compilation sold 113,000 copies its first week in stores, spurred both by the group’s farewell concert tour and the inclusion of three new songs, among them the single “Stand Up for Love.” The hits include “Independent Women, Part I,” “Say My Name” and “Survivor.”

Destiny’s Child pushed last week’s top finisher, Ashlee Simpson, out of the top slot, as her sophomore album “I Am Me” sold 73,000 copies its second week, dropping to No. 6.

Nickelback’s “All the Right Reasons” rebounded from No. 4 to No. 2 with sales of 102,000.

Other new entries in the top 10 were country singer Joe Nichols’ third album, “III,” which debuted at No. 7 on sales of 57,000 copies, and Bette Midler’s take on the songs of pop chanteuse Peggy Lee coming in at No. 10 with sales of 55,000.

“The Legend of Johnny Cash,” a single disc career-spanning collection encompassing his signature work for the Sun, Columbia, Mercury and American labels, landed at No. 11 on sales of 50,000, the only other new top 20 entry.

Total album sales for 2005 are about 10% below where they were at the same point last year.