Square Enix Manga & Books has unveiled the new Comic Partner program, which aims to support comic bookstores across the US in achieving higher manga sales, ComicsBeat reported. The program, which counts Penguin Random House among its collaborating partners, aims to provide retailers with the resources and expertise needed to drive higher sales in the growing manga market.
The Comic partner program is slated for launch in April 2025. Those retailers who are already part of the Penguin Random House Direct Market Partnership Program will automatically qualify to be part of the Comic Partner program.
As per the initiative, store managers will be provided with stuff like in-store promotional materials. They will also be provided training to make them better aware of the entire manga market, something that will make them better equipped to convert the rising demand for manga into sales. Plus, they will also have early access to some manga titles as well.
As of now, Comic Partner retailers will have access to two manga series prior to their market launch:
On and Off: Work-Life Imbalance, Vol. 1
Love in the Palm of His Hands, Vol. 1
“While we’re seeing significant market growth for manga among Western audiences, our retailers have expressed challenges with overwhelming options and knowledge gaps,” said Morgan Perry, Marketing Manager at Square Enix Manga & Books. With the Comic Partner initiative, we aim to make it easier for our comic shop partners to unlock the potential of manga sales by curating great content, providing market support, and educating sales associates about this art form—after all, manga are comics. ”
With manga popularity ever on the rise, the Comic Partner initiative will make retailers better equipped to tap into the market and achieve higher sales.
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