BTW News Briefs

NRF Finds Holiday Sales Increased 5.7 Percent

On January 13, the National Retail Federation (NRF) reported that December retail sales in the GAFS category (general merchandise stores, clothing and clothing accessories stores, furniture and home furnishings stores, electronics and appliances stores, and sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores) rose by 6.4 percent over the previous year and increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted from November. Combined, November and December brought holiday sales growth to 5.7 percent, the strongest growth since 1999 and higher than last year's 5.1 percent increase.

"Even after all of the hand-wringing by retail analysts, the holiday season ended on strong footing," said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. "Post holiday discounting and gift-card redemptions helped provide a last-minute surge in spending."

Multiple Sclerosis Society to Pick Top Self-Improvement Books

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS) will announce its picks for the top self-improvement books of 2004 at its ninth annual "Books for a Better Life" award benefit on February 28 in New York City.

The "Books for a Better Life" awards honor the best self-improvement books of the preceding year and the awards program promotes the importance of a burgeoning segment of the book publishing business. Forty finalists in eight categories were selected from over 300 books by a distinguished panel of experts in categories that include inspirational memoir, motivational, psychology, relationships, spiritual, wellness, and new this year -- childhood/parenting. A list of the Books for a Better Life finalists by category can be viewed at www.msnyc.org.

Dan Brown Tops List of Bestselling eBooks

The Open eBook Forum (www.openebook.org) recently released its annual list of Top Selling eBooks. Dan Brown dominated the 2004 list with The Da Vinci Code topping the list and Brown's Angels & Demons and Deception Point rounding out the top three. At the same time, the industry reported continued growth, with eBook revenues for the third quarter of 2004 up 25 percent and eBook units sold up 11 percent over the same quarter in 2003. The bestseller list and quarterly eBook Statistics Report were both released by the Open eBook Forum (OeBF), the industry trade and standards organization.

Steven Zacharius Named Chairman of Kensington

On January 12,Walter Zacharius, founder of Kensington Publishing Corp., announced that his son Steven Zacharius had been named the company's new chairman of the board/chief executive officer. Steven Zacharius joined Kensington Publishing 13 years ago and was appointed president in 1997.

Walter Zacharius, a 50-year veteran of the magazine and book publishing business, and a writer, is assuming the role of chairman of the board emeritus of the independently owned company.