Supported by
The Count
So Far, E-Books Aren’t Making Sales Waves
The publishing industry’s alarm over the electronic book isn’t based on current use. Last year, less than 2 percent of all books sold were e-books, according to Bowker, which tracks the industry.
By contrast, trade paperbacks and hardcovers made up approximately 35 percent each of unit sales, Bowker says. Mass market paperbacks came in at 21 percent.
But we all know how fast technology can take hold. Not long ago, e-commerce sites like Amazon.com were just a blip on the bookselling scene, and now they are major players.
Book chains still hold the lead in the percentage of books sold, at 27 percent, but they are now followed by e-commerce sites, at 20 percent. Independent booksellers, meanwhile, account for only 5 percent of books sold.
With e-books costing less to make but also selling for much less than printed books, it’s no wonder that publishers are anxiously eyeing the horizon.
Explore Our Business Coverage
Dive deeper into the people, issues and trends shaping the world of business.
Landline Pride: Traditional phones may seem like relics in the iPhone era, but a recent AT&T cellular service outage had some landline lovers extolling their virtues.
C.E.O. Dreams: Fresh business school graduates are raising “search funds” from willing investors to buy companies they can lead.
Nelson Peltz Wants Respect: The longtime corporate agitator feels misunderstood. Maybe his fight with Disney could change that.
The Palm Oil Supply Chain: An E.U. ban on imports linked to deforestation has been hailed as a “gold standard” in climate policy. Southeast Asian countries say it threatens livelihoods.
Tough Times Ahead: As the prices for office space in urban centers tumble, cities whose municipal budgets rely on taxes associated with commercial real estate are starting to bear the brunt.
Going Solo: In Taiwan, the government is racing to do what no country or even company has been able to: build an alternative to Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s rocket company, SpaceX.
Advertisement