Bowker’s statistical report of printed books in the US shows that there was an overall drop in the number of printed books between 2012 and 2013 (of 1.63%). However, there was a substantial drop in the number of ‘non-traditional’ or ‘unclassified’ books printed (45.75%). These non-traditional and unclassified books include those printed on demand, and those from wiki-based material. This large drop follows a substantial rise (55%) between 2011 and 2012.
Han Huang, director of product management for Data Licensing at Bowker has commented that the large drop was ‘simply a market correction. The huge production that took place from 2010 through 2012 was an unusual period for non-traditional publishing, reflecting higher levels of investment and innovation.’
For the first 6 months of 2014,
Bowker figures also show that bookshop sales were down 7.9% compared to the same period last year – sales falling every month during this time. However sales for the whole sector were reported to have risen 3.6% during the same period (and over 4% in June).
10 September 2014
From ALPSP Alert
US book sale and print statistics
Bowker’s statistical report of printed books in the US shows that there was an overall drop in the number of printed books between 2012 and 2013 (of 1.63%). However, there was a substantial drop in the number of ‘non-traditional’ or ‘unclassified’ books printed (45.75%). These non-traditional and unclassified books include those printed on demand, and those from wiki-based material. This large drop follows a substantial rise (55%) between 2011 and 2012.
Han Huang, director of product management for Data Licensing at Bowker has commented that the large drop was ‘simply a market correction. The huge production that took place from 2010 through 2012 was an unusual period for non-traditional publishing, reflecting higher levels of investment and innovation.’
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