The X Factor winner Shayne Ward is heading for the Christmas number one spot after opening day sales passed the 313,000 mark.
By comparison last year's Christmas winner Band Aid sold 72,000 copies on day one.
The song, which was released following the death of Diana Princess of Wales in 1997, sold more than 685,000 copies in one day.
Ward also failed to match the achievements of fellow talent show winner Will Young, who won Pop Idol in 2002.
His debut single, Evergreen, sold more than 400,000 copies on day one.
Ward's rivals for the coveted number one spot include Westlife featuring soul legend Diana Ross and The JCB song by folk unknowns Nizlopi.
But he is virtually certain of the top spot after selling 250,000 singles over the counter and the rest as downloads.
Gennaro Castaldo of retailer HMV said: "Day one sales of Shayne Ward's That's My Goal at HMV stores and other retailers are truly astounding and nothing short of incredible."
The Christmas chart will be revealed on Sunday.
William Hill has closed the book on the Christmas number one with Shayne's odds at 100/1 on.
Spokesman Rupert Adams said: "Even the biggest bands can't take on the X Factor winner. "This is our worst results on Christmas number one ever. We just have to hope it doesn't snow on Christmas Day to add to our woes."
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