Net sales of books in April fell 11.1%, to $563.5 million, as reported by 92 publishers to the Association of American Publishers. So far in 2011, net sales have slipped 4.4%, to $2.3 billion. Almost all categories slumped in April except for e-books, which rose 157.5%, to $72.8 million, and downloadable audiobooks, which climbed 22.3%, to $7 million. For the year to date, e-book sales have risen 162.9%, to $312.9 million. Some 22 publishers, including the big six houses, reported e-book sales, and 17 reported downloadable audiobook sales.
April net sales of digital books--e-books and downloadable audiobooks, which together rose 134%, to $79.8 million--accounted for 16.5% of all book sales. At the same time, net sales of nondigital books fell 19.3%, to $483.7 million. Last April, digital books--e-books and downloadable audiobooks had sales of $34.1 million--accounted for just 5.7% of all book sales.
|
Category |
Sales |
% Change |
|
E-books |
$72.8 million |
157.5% |
|
Downloadable audio |
$7 million |
22.3% |
|
University press paper |
$2.5 million |
10.8% |
|
Religious books |
$48.5 million |
2.5% |
|
Children's/YA hardcover |
$41.2 million |
1.5% |
|
|
|
|
|
Professional |
$50.5 million |
-7% |
|
Children's/YA paper |
$36.8 million |
-7.2% |
|
Univ. press hardcover |
$3.2 million |
-19.1% |
|
Audiobooks |
$8.6 million |
-21.6% |
|
Adult hardcover |
$111.4 million |
-22.7% |
|
Adult paperback |
$95.9 million |
-25.4% |
|
Higher education |
$55.5 million |
-28.3% |
|
Adult mass market |
$28.5 million |
-41.6% |