ABACUS Deadline Approaches

Here's a reminder that the deadline to participate in the 2004 ABACUS study is Friday, April 30.

Booksellers who join the new ABACUS survey will receive valuable information that can help improve their bookstore's operations and will also help their fellow independent booksellers assess their store's operations. It could not be easier -- there are only three steps with the simplified, online version of ABACUS. For more information, click here.

Last year, 197 bookstores participated in the study, which, in addition to the general report, provided each store with an individualized analysis of their store's performance in relation to the group as a whole. As the study enters its second year, ABA will use the data to begin studying trends within the universe of all reporting stores and for individual bookstores. Allowing booksellers to see trends in the larger data set and to compare their store's performance to like businesses will provide a clearer picture of the success of their efforts to increase profitability. (For last year's study results, click here. For an example of the personalized comparisons that booksellers can expect to receive if they participate in the 2004 study, click here.)

All data submitted to ABACUS by bookstores is kept strictly confidential. Worksheets, instructions, and an online form to submit data are available at www.bookweb.org/docs/abacusform/. The ABACUS form itself is largely unchanged from last year. ABA is asking for only one or two new pieces of information in an effort to make the study more valuable and to reduce the need to ask for supplemental data later.

To read what participants in last year's study had to say about ABACUS, click here.