Sales are the pits isn't an excuse though. Sales were also the pits last year when YT did 138K. I'm sure overall sales have fallen a bit more since this time a year ago, but that doesn't explain ME's 1st week sales barely climbing from YT's.
She had her first huge smash this year and has become significantly more well-known in the music world. This year was her breakthrough, but these #s just don't match up.
You guys tend to forget that Ari is still a Nick/Disney girl, don't be fooled. She's got the same demographic and main audience as Demi Lovato (who opened with 110k her last album). Ariana isn't Taylor or Miley. Having a smash hit really means nada if the GP isn't on your side/isn't aware. Tween white girls can easily push a single, but an album is a little different. Contrary to popular belief there are still many, many people in this country who don't know who Ariana Grande is. The way a lot of us on here don't know anything about 5SOS minus their name.
Not trying to make excuses because I don't think these sales are great either but they are reflective of where she is, tbh.
Why are people using the industry excuses? Last year her album sold 138k first week and now she's supposedly much bigger star. How much do you think the market has decreased since then?
Where are all those people that bought Problem, Break Free, Best Mistake and Bang Bang in their first week? 
