Indies steal market share, despite closures
01.10.09 | Catherine Neilan
Independent booksellers have gained market share during the first half of the year, despite a reduction in the number of independent bookshops trading. Independents have gained ground despite increased discounting from competitors such as the supermarkets, Amazon, and chain booksellers, with strong value growth driven by higher average prices.
According to the latest figures from Book Marketing Ltd (BML), independents have increased their share of consumer book purchases both in terms of volume and value. In value terms the sector's market share has increased from 10.3% to 12.1% in the 28 weeks to 19th July 2009, compared with the equivalent dates in 2008. The sector's share of the volume of books sold has risen from 9.3% to 9.7%. According to Nielsen BookScan in the same time period the Total Consumer Market has shrunk by 1.6% by value, and by 1.1% in volume.
Steve Bohme, BML research director, said: "Despite the recession, the independent sector has performed well in the first half of 2009, driven particularly by older, male purchasers. And, unlike the other main channels, the independents have seen increases rather than decreases in average price paid, helping them gain value share in particular."
In last week's issue of The Bookseller, two new independent booksellers predicted a "golden age" for indies underpinned by "old-fashioned" and "knowledgeable bookselling". But figures released this week by the Booksellers Association (BA) show that although 34 new shops have opened so far this year, 69 closed. The number of BA-registered firms now stands at 1,350. In 2008, 83 independent stores closed, while 66 opened.
Meryl Halls, head of membership services at the BA, acknowledged the sector was experiencing tough times, but added that independent bookshops had never been "more professionally and commercially effective as they are now".
She said: "Independent bookselling has never been easy and that never has been truer than now. That said, there are a number of booksellers who are quietly thriving in a great location, deeply embedded in their local community, with loyal customers and who are no strangers to hard work. If market share is up, it is surely testament to their passion, drive and commitment."
Comments on this article
By Different Planet
How to be creative with statistics... they haven't stolen or gained anything, indies have simply kept their customers buying full price books. They are more recession-proof then high street chains attracting more occassional shoppers after discounted items. Good luck to them anyhow, but let's not sit around pretending this 'golden age' is upon us.01 Oct 09 07:55
By negative
why so negative? Gaining market share in a tough market, volume not just value, when all your major competitors are slashing prices is a pretty good effort.01 Oct 09 08:06
By JULIAN RIVERS
The background message when read alongside the the new indie openings , is encouraging . I suspect that Indies are doing o.k . if location and management are good,- internet and supermarkets are gaining , and the chains are badly suffering, because they lie between the two [Asda and Amazon]. The model for chains is troubled because of their location , stock and staff costs and they are playing catchup on web sales. The suppliers have a big role in their future .01 Oct 09 09:28
By Ross
"Deeply embedded in their local community" is key. If any message needs to be got across for indies in these turbulent times it's encouraging people to value where they are, and part of that is valuing their local shops. When all the hype and greed is over, it's the way we've all got to go (when would NOW be a good time?).Small is not only beautiful it's healthy and farsighted. Can the BA major on this for indies, or (Meryl's welcome quote notwithstanding) are they compromised by their corporate members?01 Oct 09 10:53
By Theresa M. Moore
If it were not for independent bookstores, libraries would not thrive. Many good books have been bought by readers, who then donate to the libraries. In my neighborhood, my branch library does not have more than 10% of the books shelved at the main library, and most of them were donated by readers living here. I saw a good science fiction bookshop close its doors because of high rents in the district, to go online and sell from there. So independent bookselling will never go under because of the inconvenience of a physical presence, but it is sad that people who prefer to pick up a book to look through before buying have a devil of a time finding a good bookstore. Kudos to those willing to stick it out to the very end.01 Oct 09 16:28
