Nielsen reports a rise in global
consumer confidence, including the UK.
Could sales of
audio books overtake those of ebooks? And here is confirmation that ebook sales are on the downturn in the
UK and in the
US, but still selling well in
France.
Nook has stopped selling digital content in the UK; purchasers’ existing content will be available via Sainsbury’s Entertainment on Demand.
Children’s books are getting
longer and vlogger Zoella’s (short-ish)
first novel is the most popular book among secondary school pupils. Parents are
concerned about their children reading interactive ebooks.
In the long-running ebook price-fixing case, Apple will not be allowed an
appeal and is about to start refunding customers. The case will cost Apple $400 million in damages and $50 million in court fees.
Waterstones’ sales are
rising and the chain has been named as one of the UK’s Alternative
SuperBrands for customer loyalty and engagement.
Meanwhile in Amazon news, the
Australian book market is being targeted. There have been rumours (later denied) of a major move into bricks and mortar in the
US. They are said to be secretly planning an
ebook marketplace. And, not so secretly, have made further moves into the
grocery business. Commentator
Mike Shatzkin has some interesting thoughts on Amazon’s relationship with publishers on agency pricing. And the
Kindle Fire sort of lives up to its name.
Here’s a fairly light-hearted
article on the not at all light-hearted subject of book theft.
World Book Day has just taken place. If the dressing-up makes you grind your teeth don’t look at
this (except for the last picture). WBD set a new
Guinness World Record and one lucky school got a
library makeover.
The BRC
forecasts a loss of 900,000 jobs in the retail sector over the next decade, but says remaining jobs will be better paid.
The
Walter Scott longlist has been announced, and here’s the list of the UK’s most popular
reading group titles. The longlist for the CILIP
Carnegie Medal.
Waterstones’ Children’s Book Prize ,
Baily’s Fiction Prize and
Orwell Prize have also all been announced recently. Rather more esoterically here is the shortlist for the Diagram
oddest book title of the year.