Comments on: Are Books Following Music Trends?

By: Kevin Hooper

Kevin Hooper — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:55:04 +0000

No doubt, younger readers will progress to iPad, Kindle and other technologies, but for those “readers” who are older, there is nothing like curling up with a good book in bed, or with a cuppa on a rainy day. Many of us already have our electronic Bible and other reference material at our fingertips. But the “wonder” and the “spiritual” experience of actually reading a good book, be it Biblical teaching or a novel, can’t be had electronically. Recently on a 22 hour international flight, I watched a young man across the aisle with a Kindle, struggling because of some reflections from the lights, then his arms obviously became weary. A fellow passenger asked him if he was enjoying the book, especially in that format. He said yes, but added a caveat….it was easy for him to carry his slim electronic book, which actually had three books loaded for the long return trip. Then he added that it was harder on his eyes, and it was not as enjoyable as holding a paper book. It was simply a space issue that had made him bring the Kindle. The three books that size would have filled his slimline computer case and left no room for his Blackberry, small notebook computer, wallet and travel papers.

By: Josh Olson

Josh Olson — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 04:16:40 +0000

I agree, considering a diversification tactic could work, and indeed could provide stores with greater opportunity to be a light in their community be attracting a wider audience. If it does follow the music industry, it could also mean that stores could potentially sell the hardware or “e-books” themselves. Worldwide, we’ve seen music stores incorporate the sale of MP3 players, iPods, headphones and pre-paid digital download albums presented like a gift certificate. Customers are then able to choose which album to give to a friend and the gift recipient simply downloads the music, paid for by the “gifter” in the retail store prior.

This could move to the book industry as well. Stores could sell Kindle, or a range of hardware devices as well as book gifts in-store. If this became the case, accessories become the major source of profit in this section of the store and physical books would become more of a novelty gift, as have CD’s. Physical CD’s increasingly offer different packaging options to provide a different purchasing experience from downloading. Books could follow this same methodology – available for download or in premium hardback, when previously it would only be available in basic paperback.

It could also mean that mainstream bookstores suffer physical sales, while stores that sell predominantly Christian content would maintain their sales due to Christians preferring a physical Bible and corresponding study books.

By: Karl Grice

Karl Grice — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:14:33 +0000

In think this technology will create more competition. Once a specialist brick and mortar store is established in a prime real estate location, it often seals the market. In contrast, the dominance of stores like Amazon will become increasingly less secure. Online retail space is cheap rental, and web designers are everywhere. So, for example, The Book Depository website was unheard of five years ago. Yet, I already know half a dozen people who have switched from being regulars of Amazon to buying all their books from the Book Depository. This is not because Amazon’s service or pricing deteriorated. Someone simply came along with a better offer. Yes, e-kindle will change the publishing world. However, it is making books more accessible – and therefore the Bible more accessible.

For Local Christian Bookshops, I think this highlights the need to pursue viable business models. It is possible that you will experience a decline in book sales over the next decade. Yet, there will still be customers who depend on you to supply their books. If you predict that the reduced demand for Christian books is not sufficient to run a viable Christian business, then perhaps now is the time to diversify – subsidising your running costs by selling other products. Don’t limit yourself to pens with bible verses. Consider coffee, flowers, secular books, organic produce.

Yet, with continued population growth, perhaps we won’t see a decline in books sales at all.