The Booksellers Association of the U.K. & Ireland has 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 U.K. and Ireland," the BA noted, adding that "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.
BA managing director Meryl Halls 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.... It's also clear that while booksellers feel supported, the pressure of the job--particularly for owners--is very real.... 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."
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The Australian Booksellers Association has released shortlists for the ABA 2026 Bookseller of the Year Awards, which recognize "booksellers who demonstrate outstanding commitment to their craft, their customers and their communities. From experienced industry leaders to emerging talent and children's specialists, the shortlisted booksellers represent the depth of passion, knowledge and care found across Australian bookshops."
The categories include the ABA Text Publishing Bookseller of the Year Award, ABA Penguin Random House Young Bookseller of the Year Award, and ABA Hardie Grant Children's Publishing Children's Bookseller of the Year Award.
Winners will be named at the 2026 ABA Conference, which will be held June 13-15 in Canberra, where the ABA will also announce the inaugural recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Bookselling Award.
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The Gochang Bookstore Village, Korea's first "bookstore village," was created by six independent bookstores. Korea JoongAng Daily reported that it opened in October 2025, beginning with Lee Yun-ho, "a former culture critic who left Seoul in search of a quieter place to open a bookstore."
Lee met Kang Jun-seok and Hwang Kyeong-sun, a couple who run Mangrove bookstore, which is dedicated to nature and environmental books, through a humanities group. They subsequently offered Lee their unused land in Gochang, "leading six like-minded individuals and families to come together in 2023 to begin building a book village," Korea JoongAng Daily noted.
The bookstore village occupies about five acres and features nine colorful wooden buildings housing bookstores and residences, as well as small gardens. Korea JoongAng Daily wrote that "the six stores operate more like a community than competitors. Shop owners said they take turns watching each other's stores, farm together, and share meals in a communal kitchen."