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A Shrinking Circle of GiantsThe global trade book industry has witnessed an era of unprecedented consolidation over the last two decades. Publishing houses that were once family-run or regionally independent have been steadily absorbed into larger conglomerates. Today, a handful of multinational corporations—Penguin Random House...
A Shifting Retail LandscapeThe global retail market for English-language books is undergoing rapid transformation. For decades, the supply chain was dominated by brick-and-mortar bookstores in North America, the U.K., and Australia. Today, however, English-language books are a global commodity, distributed digitally and physically across regions...
Introduction: The Rise of the NicheIn the past, the global book market was dominated by broad categories—literary fiction, general romance, popular nonfiction. Today, however, readers are increasingly gravitating toward niche genres that cater to specific tastes, identities, and cultural experiences. These once “fringe” categories are now shaping...
Introduction: Why Holiday Book Sales MatterThe holiday season is the single most important sales window for the global publishing and book retail industry. November and December account for nearly a quarter of annual trade book sales in many markets, as consumers purchase books as gifts,...
China’s Central Role in Book PrintingChina has long been a go-to source for book production, particularly for full-color books, children’s titles, coffee-table editions, and cost-sensitive mass print runs. The country’s advanced printing infrastructure, affordability, and high-quality output have made it indispensable to the publishing supply...
The Tariff TimelineOver the past few years, tariff talk has sparked anxiety across many industries—including publishing. With the U.S. and China in an ongoing trade standoff, book publishers and wholesalers have closely monitored the potential for tariffs on printed books.So far, the publishing world has...
The Experience Economy Comes to Bookstores As consumer habits shift from transactional to experiential, independent bookstores are capitalizing on a trend that plays to their strengths: experiential retail. While online shopping may be efficient, it’s not particularly memorable. Local bookstores, on the other hand, create immersive experiences...
The Resurgence of Independent BookstoresIndependent bookstores are experiencing a renaissance. After years of industry challenges—including the rise of online retail giants and the closures of brick-and-mortar stores—indie bookstores are on the rise again. According to the American Booksellers Association (ABA), the number of independent bookstores...
