The Booksellers Association has today published the findings of its fourth annual Workforce Survey, conducted in partnership with EA Inclusion. The survey remains a key part of the Association’s long-term commitment to ensuring that bookselling is an inclusive, representative and supportive profession across the UK and Ireland.

Now in its fourth year, the survey continues to build a robust longitudinal picture of the bookselling workforce - providing insight not only into who works in the sector but how they experience it. Crucially, this work is not undertaken for analysis alone, but to inform practical action - enabling the Association and the wider sector to better understand barriers, strengthen inclusion and drive change.

The 2025/26 survey received 347 responses from individuals across 227 bookshops, a 14% decrease year-on-year, but participation remains significantly higher than two years ago, with a 26% increase in respondents and a 44% increase in bookshops represented compared to 2023/24.

In total, almost 450 bookshops have taken part across the four years. Respondents were drawn from across the UK and Ireland, with 65% in England, 15% in Scotland, 9% in Wales, 1% in Northern Ireland and 10% in the Republic of Ireland.

This year’s findings tell a clear yet nuanced story: bookselling continues to be an inclusive and supportive workplace for many already in the sector, with strong levels of belonging and wellbeing, but challenges remain - particularly around representation and entering bookselling, workload pressures and rising abuse towards booksellers.

Bookselling is Inclusive and Supportive
The clearest message from this year’s survey is that the sector continues to be an inclusive, respectful and increasingly supportive place to build a career. That is especially significant at a time when many minority groups are experiencing a more challenging social and political environment.
Against this backdrop, it is encouraging that booksellers report high levels of inclusion, belonging and authenticity at work:

• 92% feeling they belong, 91% feeling included, 90% feeling respected and 87% able to be their authentic self

Perceptions of organisational commitment to diversity and inclusion have also strengthened:

• 89% (up from 82%) believe their organisation is committed to diversity and inclusion, 81% (up from 73%) believe progress is being made and 63% (up from 61%) believe the wider bookselling culture is inclusive

A Workforce that Reflects Diversity but with Work To Be Done
These findings show that the sector is diverse in many, but not all, areas, while creating environments where people feel able to thrive.

Respondents were more likely than the general population to be female, LGB+, trans or with a trans history, neurodivergent, or disabled or with a long-term health condition:

• 70% identify as female, 23% as LGB+, 5% as trans or with a trans history, 26% as neurodivergent and 26% as having a disability or long-term health condition

Many respondents also reported broader lived experience:

• 33% have caring responsibilities and over a third (36%) identify as having a disability and/or a neurodivergent condition

In many cases, respondents also report being open about these aspects of their identity at work - reinforcing the perception of bookselling as a welcoming and affirming profession.

Progress on Representation but Clear Gaps Remain
Whilst the survey highlighted areas of progress, its findings were also clear that further work is needed.

• 9% of respondents identify as being from ethnic minority groups (excluding White minorities), up from 7% last year, and 8% of bookshop owners identify as being from ethnic minority groups, up from 5%

However, this remains below the 18% national benchmark, meaning this continues to be a key area of focus.
This sits alongside a wider socio-economic imbalance within the workforce:

• 63% of respondents come from professional backgrounds (vs 37% nationally) and 17% attended an independent or fee-paying school (vs 7% nationally)

Together, these findings underline the need for continued action to broaden access into bookselling careers and ensure the sector reflects the communities it serves.

Wellbeing remains Positive but Pressure is Real
The survey makes clear that a positive culture does not remove operational strain.

Wellbeing indicators remain broadly strong:

• 80% would feel confident talking about wellbeing at work (up from 74%) and 69% say their organisation offers wellbeing support (up from 66%) However, pressure is evident:

• 59% feel able to balance work and home life (down from 63%), 15% say they are required to hide their feelings at work most or all of the time and 12% find it difficult to unwind after work most or all of the time New questions introduced in this year’s survey provide a clearer picture of workload intensity:

• 27% regularly work overtime to finish their work, 30% feel they have more work than they can realistically manage and 14% feel stressed about work most or all of the time

These pressures are particularly pronounced among bookshop owners. With the sector also facing ongoing financial pressures - including the impact of business rates reform - there is a risk these challenges could place further strain on staffing, capacity and support in the long-term without mediation.

Rising Abuse towards Booksellers a Growing Concern
As with last years survey, the increasing rise in abuse directed at booksellers is an ongoing concern.

• 31% of respondents experienced abuse, harassment, bullying or violence from customers in the past year, including 24% harassment (up from 16%), 19% abuse (up from 16%), 8% bullying (up from 5%) and 4% violence (up from 2%)

While this reflects a wider increase in retail abuse, the nature of abuse in bookselling can be distinct. In many cases, it is not solely driven by theft, but linked to the perception of what bookshops represent - including the books they stock, the values they promote and the communities they serve.

Ongoing Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
The Booksellers Association continues to be committed to increasing diversity at all levels within bookselling, ensuring equitable access, progression and representation. Alongside this, it is focused on building inclusive working environments and addressing systemic barriers across the sector. To support these aims, the Association continues to deliver a range of initiatives, including:

• A pilot mentoring programme for candidates from global majority backgrounds, including a Masterclass webinar
• Diversity, equity and inclusion training across the organization
• Proactive signposting and sharing of pastoral and wellbeing support from third party providers, including Creative Access and Retail Trust
• The development of role models from under-represented communities
• A partnership with Creative Access, including discounted job listings and document creation for the BA Learning Skills Hub
• A proactive approach to diversifying conference participants and speakers, author visitors, judges and advisors on BA projects
• A proactive commitment to producing materials in dual language for Welsh, Irish and Scottish member


Meryl Halls, Managing Director of the Booksellers Association, said: “This year’s survey shows real progress, but also reminds us that there’s more to do. For many people already working in bookselling, it continues to be an inclusive, respectful and supportive place to work - and it’s encouraging to see that improving in a number of areas.   We must continue to celebrate our colleagues in bookselling who find themselves in supportive environments, and who create those spaces in our sector.
 
At the same time, we can’t ignore the gaps. Representation of ethnic minority groups is still below where it should be, and there are clear socio-economic barriers into the industry. If we want bookselling to truly reflect the communities it serves, we have to continue to encourage change - and that’s why we’re continuing to invest in mentoring, training and trade partnerships to open up the sector, bring down barriers and bring people into it that maybe feel there isn’t a place for them.

It’s also clear that while booksellers feel supported, the pressure of the job - particularly for owners - is very real. With ongoing financial challenges, including the impact of recent business rates reform, there’s a risk that pressure will only increases, and we keep this universal issue firmly in focus over the coming year.
And finally, the rise in abuse towards booksellers is deeply concerning and unacceptable. Booksellers should be able to stock and sell the books their communities need and care about without fear of harassment or violence. Making sure bookselling remains not just inclusive, but safe and sustainable, is essential for all booksellers.”

Read the Booksellers Association's 2026 Membership Workforce Survey.