The change in format from physical books to e-books has flattened in recent years, but people continue to buy more physical books online
Content of the article
TORONTO – Almost half of the books purchased in Canada last year were purchased online, according to data from BookNet Canada, as e-commerce continues to cut corners on brick-and-mortar retail.
Content of the article
The nonprofit industry group reported on Monday that 48% of the estimated $ 983.7 million in annual purchases of printed books in 2016 were made through digital channels, up 1.8% from 2015, while 52% were made in physical stores.
Reporting retailers represent 85 percent of the printing market in Canada and include bookstore chains, independent retailers, discount stores and general merchandise retailers, BookNet said.
The news comes days after entertainment retailer HMV Canada announced it would cease operations and close 102 stores in nine provinces after its core music and DVD sales market slowly eroded amid the surge. digital entertainment.
Content of the article
In the case of books, the change in format from physical books to e-books has flattened in recent years, but people continue to buy more physical books online.
The country’s largest specialized bookseller, Indigo Books & Music Inc., has managed to maintain itself in the market and increase its overall sales through the addition of non-book items such as toys, electronics, baby gifts and home decor items.
BookNet said paperback sales accounted for 54.2 percent of all book purchases in 2016, up from 51.1 percent in 2015. E-books fell to 16.8 percent of sales, down from 19. percent in 2015, while sales of hardcover books and audiobooks remained stable, accounting for 23.9 percent of sales and 2.6 percent, respectively.
In order, the five best-selling books in 2016 were Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by JK Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany; Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s Nest; All the light we can’t see through Anthony Doerr; 99 by Wayne Gretzy; and Diary of a Wimpy Kid # 11: Double Down by Jeff Kinney.
Financial post
hshaw@nationalpost.com
Twitter.com/HollieKShaw