Industry News

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to have a significant impact on small businesses, booksellers should revisit ABA’s archive of information for steps to take now and resources for reopening.

A decrease in direct traffic and referral traffic from social media to IndieCommerce and IndieLite websites may indicate that customers are continuing to shift to in-store sales.

The October Indie Next List e-newsletter, featuring the month’s 20 titles with bookseller quotes in addition to a Q&A with the #1 pick, was sent to more than 682,000 customers at 179 ABA member stores.

An increase in the conversion rate was offset by a decrease in online traffic.

With the increase in online shopping this year, ABA has also seen a sharp spike in the number of fraudulent orders stores are losing money to.

“The community has been welcoming and supportive,” said co-owner Rosario Calatayud-Serna. “Our group is enthusiastic, helpful, and supportive of one another, which has also been a blessing.”

While there were slightly fewer visitors buying online last week, those that were buying were spending more.

“In short, booksellers, simply by doing what they do best, will help to protect one of the fundamental institutions of democracy, which is the book industry itself,” says Lynn.

Lynn’s book, out September 29, examines how monopoly power, specifically that of Google, Amazon, and Facebook, threatens liberty, democracy, prosperity, and national security. 

The calendar features books with added value, such as signed copies and exclusive merchandise, to entice customers to order from their local indie bookstore.