i dunno, really. maybe because other artists are more popular now, and people may have forgotten about hitomi when it comes to her music? i'm sure they'd know of her when it comes to fashion stuff, since she was a model.

There's many factors that caused hitomi's sales to decrease. First, her age plays a role. A while back female singers after 25 were considered old and retired to get married and had families. Hitomi has passed her prime career wise and there's no chance of her regaining more popularity. Another thing is that she was never the "it" girl. hitomi has always had on and off sales. She got fair promotion but much of her career was built on "image" rather than her talents, so her songs and PVs doesn't play a major part in her sales. I think hitomi does sell decently for someone whose been around since 1994.

The Box Set is something Avex wanted to sell for some quick cash IMO

I agree with what most people stated as reasons why she could retiring. However, i'm not familiar with how the Japanese music industry really works. Over the years i've become very Avex-centered, even if she wanted to keep making music down the line what type of music would it be? I have this image in my head that in Japan, if you're a female singer over 30 chances are you're going to be doing something more along the lines of enka or something with a more mature fan-base. But, then again, i'm very un-informed in this subject.

there are plenty of female singers who do pop/rock/RnB/electronic/whatever types of music and who are well into their 30s & still are active in the j-pop scene: Bonnie Pink , Chara , Nanase Aikawa , Keiko Yamada of Globe , Double, LISA and etc..

I refuse to believe that she'll retire! :(

Besides, she has her own label. She can release her stuff when she feels like to.

I think it's frustrating being left in the dark. The weird thing is that avex didn't announce a retirement yet. Usually people are more willing to shell out money if they know this will be the last release ever. I don't know.. I forgot how they announced DAI's disbanding.

On the other hand usually best compilations leave out a few recent singles and this best didn't. Also best compilations usually include some new material, like a new song or a clip and this one doesn't seem to carry anything new.. yet. It's like she doesn't feel like releasing any more new material.

Maybe this is just another beginning of a hiatus. She might wish to leave her options open or something.