Sainsbury’s is likely the only big grocery store that also has a very healthy eBook ecosystem. They are one of the most prominent companies in the UK and they have just ironed out a new agreement with Penguin Random House UK to give away a copious amount of eBooks for free.
The offer is mainly applicable to children and they can download a free copy of Jacqueline Wilson’s Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather and James Patterson’s Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life and I Funny when they buy any packet of Sainsbury’s own-brand cereal starting today.
Sainsbury launched their eBook platform after purchasing a 60% of HMV Group’s shareholding in Anobii for a nominal 1 pound. At the time, Anobii had 600,000 users worldwide and a library of 60,000 ebooks. Penguin and Random House are also minority partners in the Sainsbury’s bookstore, so it makes sense that they participated in this project.
Books for cereal? Sounds like a square deal, the company better be prepared to give a lot away. Last year, they sold over six million boxes.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
