Some store workers said stocks of Jackson's CDs had sold out this morning - just hours after news of his sudden death.

Jackson's record sales worldwide are said to be as high as 750 million - a number that could now rise significantly.

"Nobody was prepared for this," said one music industry worker.

Music retailers expect a jump in sales of Jackson's CDs in the wake of his sudden death.

JB Hi Fi music product manager Derek Durrant foresees a surge in Michael Jackson CD sales throughout the chain's 100 locations.

"We are anticipating a pretty strong demand for his product because of the profile of the artist," said Mr Durrant. "His music has been pretty ageless."

"He would have been one of the most popular recording artists in Australia over the years"

"All of his albums were big in Australia," he said, adding that Michael Jackson recordings "still sells well for us even prior to what's just occurred".