Industry News

The conversion rate was up 39.47 percent vs. the previous week, while sales revenue over the past seven days was down 12.07 percent vs. the previous week. 

Booksellers planning to participate in Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, April 24, can check out a number of ideas for virtual and in-person celebrations to get the inspiration flowing.

Membership with ABA ended on January 31, 2021, so booksellers are encouraged to complete their dues renewal form on BookWeb to ensure they continue to receive member benefits. 

ABA has announced five director candidates to stand for election to the ABA Board, as well as the board’s selection for president and vice president. Booksellers can petition to be added to the ballot.

Traffic over the past seven days was up 5.5 percent vs. the previous seven days.

President Barack Obama, an avid supporter of independent bookstores and bestselling author of the recent memoir A Promised Land (Crown), will open the 2021 Winter Institute with a personal video message to independent booksellers.

Over the past seven days, IndieCommerce and IndieLite stores saw a 9.24 percent increase in sales revenue.

The images tell customers: “Share the Love. Shop Local” and “This Valentine’s Day, make a date with your local bookstore.”

Membership with ABA ends on January 31, 2021, so booksellers are encouraged to complete their dues renewal form on BookWeb to ensure a continuation of benefits. 

As the Book Industry Charitable Foundation kicks off its 25th anniversary year, it is welcoming Kuo-Yu Liang as a new Board member and Kera Yonker as development coordinator.

Booksellers have until February 5 to sign up to participate in Independent Bookstore Day (April 24) and/or place orders for special literary-themed merchandise to sell during the event. 

Although traffic dropped by 3.87 percent over the past seven days, the e-commerce conversion rate increased to 4.90 percent.

The 9th annual Children’s Institute, slated for June 2021, will now take place August 30–September 1 at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

Online customers are settling into purchase habits that are leading to a conversion rate that may become the baseline conversion rate for most of 2021.