SIMBA Report: Loss of Bookstores Does Not Translate to Increased Ebook Sales
A new study from research firm SIMBA Information reveals some unsettling information: The loss of physical bookstores in 2011 did not translate to ebook growth.
The fourth edition of its Trends in Trade Book Retailing posits that the showroom effect is real, and that physical discovery is a factor, even in ebook sales.
"It may go against common sense, but the loss of hundreds of physical bookstores and several million square feet of book retailing space in 2011 actually negatively affected the expansion of e-book usage," says Michael Norris, senior analyst of Simba Information's Trade Books Group, in a press release for the release of the report, which is available for purchase now.
At issue seems to be quantifying the value of physical discovery, whether that involves finding a way to reward bookstores for sales they generate elsewhere, or online retailers investing in bricks-and-mortar locations. Barnes & Noble has sort of already been doing this, though they came at it through the back door, converting their physical stores into showcases for their NOOK devices and the content that could be purchased on them. And back in February, rumors flew fast and furious that Amazon had plans to open a showcase location.
"Imagine a future that allows bookstore browsers to wave their Smartphone, tablet or another device near a physical book when they want to buy the e-book version immediately. That idea can move even further as the consumer who buys the physical book can allow friends or strangers to do the same when the book has long left the store, giving the bookstore credit for the sale," says Norris in the SIMBA release. "A system like that would allow bookstores to cash in on their value, give publishers an incentive to invest more in the physical product, and maybe also prevent the industry from consolidating too much power with too few retailers."
There's been plenty of speculation, conjecture, handwringing and chicken-little-ing in recent years about the state and importance of physical book stores. Is this the answer? What do you think?
We'll be chatting with SIMBA's Michael Norris for tomorrow's installment of Publishing Business Today.
Full press release below:
Loss of Bookstores Doesn't Translate Into E-Book Growth: Simba Information
STAMFORD, CT--(Marketwire - Jul 23, 2012) - Media forecast and research firm Simba Information has released the fourth edition of Trends in Trade Book Retailing, which compiles data from multiple sources to confirm what Simba anticipated in the third edition: that the loss of bookstores would not translate into growth of e-books in 2011.
"It may go against common sense, but the loss of hundreds of physical bookstores and several million square feet of book retailing space in 2011 actually negatively affected the expansion of e-book usage," said Michael Norris, senior analyst of Simba Information's Trade Books Group, commenting on the report. "The publishing industry can either continue to watch its business get smaller through this unsustainable pattern or find ways to allow in-person discovery of content work in favor of the physical stores that are paying for that discovery to be available."
Data from Simba shows that most consumers continue to buy print books, and the discovery of e-books is still very much interconnected with that of physical content. The report also indicates that the more retail channels consumers have access to, the more likely they are to be book buyers and leisure book readers. However, with physical bookstores still 'subsidizing' the online channel by acting as a showroom for content, the industry must think of creative ways to build a sustainable system.
"Imagine a future that allows bookstore browsers to wave their Smartphone, tablet or another device near a physical book when they want to buy the e-book version immediately. That idea can move even further as the consumer who buys the physical book can allow friends or strangers to do the same when the book has long left the store, giving the bookstore credit for the sale," said Norris. "A system like that would allow bookstores to cash in on their value, give publishers an incentive to invest more in the physical product, and maybe also prevent the industry from consolidating too much power with too few retailers."
Trends in Trade Book Retailing 2012 details the interconnected worlds of print and e-book retailing through profiles of each of the three major channels of book retailer: bookstore, online and 'other.' Key demographic details and trends unique to each are provided, including gender, age, household income, education level, purchasing habits and more. Five-year trend data is also new to this edition, as is exclusive data showing to what extent e-book consumers have bought digital content from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple's iBookstore, and other e-book sources.
About Simba Information:
Simba Information is widely recognized as the authority for market intelligence in the media and publishing industries. Its extensive information network delivers top quality, independent perspectives on the people, events and alliances shaping the industry. The firm routinely assist clients and the press with publishing and media industry analysis. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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