ebook sales decrease by 4.5% in the first quarter of 2019

Within the first three months of 2019, digital e-book gross sales fell 4.5% and generated $ 244 million, which was $ 10 million lower than in the identical interval final yr. The continual decline in e-book gross sales has been occurring for the previous 4 years.

There are some explanation why e-book gross sales have fallen off a cliff. One of many important components is because of the rise of digital audiobooks which can be being imposed as forest fires. Within the first three months of the yr, the format elevated by 35% and generated a decent $ 133 million. On the similar time, final yr, audiobooks generated $ 98 million in gross sales, so you’ll be able to see how persons are listening to audiobooks greater than ever.

The decline in digital books is sweet for the standard printing business. Hardcover e-book gross sales recorded a 7.8% improve ($ 594 million) in income and pocket e-book gross sales recorded a decent 3.1% ($ 553.6 million).

Studying normally has been rising this yr, which is an efficient signal that bookstores and on-line retailers are doing properly. Within the first quarter of 2019, publishers' web revenues from industrial books, together with gross sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct retailers and on-line customers have been $ 1.6 billion, a rise of 5.7%.

Michael Kozlowski is the editor in chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and digital readers for the previous ten years. His articles have been collected by main native information sources and web sites comparable to CNET, Engadget, Huffington Submit and Verge.