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People seeking solace from the credit crunch should look no further than a good book, publishers have claimed at the Frankfurt Book Fair.
Reuters reports that as luxuries become less affordable, publishers are predicting that the retail trade could benefit from the pending recession.
"In these troubled times, the book is something which is a kind of landmark, which is solid reference and value, which is never, ever, ever going to be obsolete," said Fran Dubruille, director of the European Booksellers' Federation.
"The book is a cheap gift. The book is always affordable," she said. "Actually, maybe the crisis is a chance for booksellers to reassert their role in the community as providers of pleasure, of knowledge, for a very, very cheap price."
According to a survey of German-language publishers carried out by the book fair's organizers, most foresee a stable business environment.