Once upon a time, the publishing world involved a vast, gatekeeping entity called the Big Six. Shortly after a devastating anti-trust lawsuit involving five of those publishers, Penguin and Random House merged to become the current largest trade publisher in the US. But a new deal to buy Simon & Schuster--amounting to what the Washington Post has called "the Big Bad Wolf … [Read more...] about Authors to Dept of Justice: Stop the Penguin Random House Buy of Simon & Schuster
Bookselling News
Japanese book sales generated $15.59 billion in 2020
Print and digital book sales combined, generated $15.59 billion USD in Japan, last year. This was an overall increase of 5% from figures published in 2019. This is the second year in a row that sales have exceeded those of the previous year. Digital publishing grew significantly, up 28%. It accounted for 3.79 billion USD, 24% of the total publishing market, exceeding 20% for … [Read more...] about Japanese book sales generated $15.59 billion in 2020
Book Sales Rose 5.2% in the United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, book sales increased by 5.% and more than 200m print books were sold last year. Nielsen Book Scan found that BookScan estimated that print books generated £1.76 billion, making it the first time the annual print volume was this high, since 2009. Nielsen stressed that the figure is an estimate, because it was unable to calculate book sales during the … [Read more...] about Book Sales Rose 5.2% in the United Kingdom
The conventional bookstore is making a comeback in New Zealand
Traditional bookstores have had a hard time doing business during the pandemic, what with all the lockdown and travel restrictions disrupting the normal lives of people in most parts of the world. That said, this has also been the time when people took to reading in a big way. However, most chose to source their books via online retailers or superstores than bookstores as such … [Read more...] about The conventional bookstore is making a comeback in New Zealand
Publishers Association in the UK are happy with Brexit Deal
With a trade deal between the UK and EU finally, in place, the Publishers Association in the UK has heaved a sigh of relief as this will ensure uninterrupted trade with the European Union. The UK government and the European Union had time till December 31, 2020, to finalize the terms of the new relationship between them as the transition period comes to an end.As per the … [Read more...] about Publishers Association in the UK are happy with Brexit Deal
Penguin Random House buys Simon & Schuster
Penguin Random House is one of the largest publishing companies in the world and they have just confirmed that they are going to buy Simon & Schuster for $2.175 billion in cash. The deal is subject to regulatory approval and if the deal closes, Simon & Schuster will continue to run as a separate publishing unit. Jonathan Karp will remain as president and CEO and Dennis … [Read more...] about Penguin Random House buys Simon & Schuster
Indigo Books has a net loss of $17.5 million in the past three months
Indigo Books and Music, is the largest bookselling chain in Canada and over the course of the pandemic, they have been consistently losing money every quarter. Revenue for the second quarter ended September 26, 2020 was $205.3 million compared to revenue of $203.4 million in the same period last year, an increase of $1.9 million. Indigo reported a loss before income taxes of … [Read more...] about Indigo Books has a net loss of $17.5 million in the past three months
Powell’s Books will stop selling books on Amazon
Powell's Books is one of the most iconic indie bookstores in Portland and many people in the United States place orders with them online. They have announced they will no longer be selling their books on Amazon.In a statement, the owner Emily Powell said "No one goes into the book business expecting an easy path, and each year typically brings its share of surprises and … [Read more...] about Powell’s Books will stop selling books on Amazon
August is seeing a resurgence of print sales
In the first week of August, print sales are making a comeback. Unit sales have increased by 24.8% and the biggest gain was in the young adult fiction genre, where unit sales skyrocketed 168.8% over the week ended Aug. 10, 2019. The book that drove sales was the new Stephenie Meyer novel, Midnight Sun, which sold more than 524,000 copies in its first week.The juvenile … [Read more...] about August is seeing a resurgence of print sales
June Bookstore Sales declined by 35.3% in the US
Some bookstores slowly began reopening in the United States, but overall sales have been lacklustre. June bookstore sales fell 35.3% compared to a year ago, according to preliminary estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. As steep as the June drop was, it was a marked improvement over May, when bookstore sales fell nearly 60%, to $270 million. Bookstore sales in June were … [Read more...] about June Bookstore Sales declined by 35.3% in the US
Indigo Books revenue dropped by 30%
During the second quarter, Indigo Books has experienced a net loss of about $31.6 million for the 13 weeks ended June 27th, compared to a net loss of about $19.1 million in the same quarter the previous year. This was basically a 30% drop in revenue, primarily due to all of their book stores being closed during the pandemic and online sales were not strong enough to offset … [Read more...] about Indigo Books revenue dropped by 30%
Hardcover and Paperback Sales are Surging in 2020
Print sales in the United States are enjoying robust sales in the first six months of 2020. Hardcover and Paperbacks increased by 2.8% and sold 322.1 million copies. Considering most bookstores were only open for a limited time this year, the vast majority were placed via online ordering.The increase in sales was led by a combination of children’s nonfiction books aimed at … [Read more...] about Hardcover and Paperback Sales are Surging in 2020
Indigo Books has reopened 130 Bookstores in Canada
Indigo Books have been shuttered since early March and they are reopening over 130 bookstores in Canada and the rest will open their doors in phases. If you are looking to buy a new book, it is important to note that Indigo is limiting store capacity to ensure physical distancing, enhancing cleaning protocols, offer hand sanitizer in-store, contactless pay methods and having … [Read more...] about Indigo Books has reopened 130 Bookstores in Canada