Bookselling Market Report 2012

• Publication date: March 2012

Executive Summary This Key Note Market Report examines the bookselling market in the UK, comprising of consumer, academic and professional, and school books. The market has changed significantly over recent years, which has led to a decline in retail value, with Key Note estimating that sales stood at £3.3bn in 2011. In terms of sectors, consumer books still contributed the greatest share of the market, however a large decline i...

Executive Summary

This Key Note Market Report examines the bookselling market in the UK, comprising of consumer, academic and professional, and school books. The market has changed significantly over recent years, which has led to a decline in retail value, with Key Note estimating that sales stood at £3.3bn in 2011.
In terms of sectors, consumer books still contributed the greatest share of the market, however a large decline in value has been evident. This is believed to be due to the recession having an impact on consumer spending, while the growing popularity of e-books is taking potential sales away from the traditional market. Academic and professional titles are thought to have fared better in the current climate, as the types of books included in this sector are often essential for work or study, and as such, the sector has been more resilient to the economic downfall. Furthermore, sales of school books, which include English Language Teaching (ELC) aids, are believed to have suffered a decline in value, mainly influenced by the recession and a cut in school spending on items such as books.
Overall, there are a number of significant threats to the bookselling industry, including the growing popularity of e-books. The digital versions are believed to be reducing sales of traditional books, while many are distributed at much lower prices, devaluing the entire book industry. The increase in book discounting is also reducing any potential growth, as retailers are more focused on lowering prices during the tough trading period.
WH Smith and Waterstones are two of the leading high-street booksellers, although both continue to face competition from online and cheaper outlets. Online sites such as Amazon and Play are believed to have increased their share of the market, as consumers are more price conscious since the recession, opting for the cheapest outlets. Similarly, supermarkets and discount bookshops have also fared well during the recession, as both types of outlets offer minimal prices, while promotions and discounts are heavily applied. Another major change to the industry includes the loss of Woolworths in 2008 and Borders the following year. Both retailers were significant contributors to the bookselling market, and along with their departure, it is believed that many independent retailers also exited the marketplace due to the tough trading environment currently evident on the high street.
In regard to the future, the current outlook is bleak, as the economic climate in the UK remains uncertain, and recovery continues to be slow. The university tuition fee rise is expected to reduce the number of people enrolling into university in late 2012, which is likely to have an impact on sales of academic and professional books, which currently remains the only profitable sector within the industry. Despite this, the many film adaptations of books due to be released in 2012 are likely to be beneficial to the industry, as fans often wish to make a comparison between book and film. Key Note estimates that the market could decline further in terms of value in 2012; however, as the economy continues to gradually recover, sales are forecast to increase to reach an estimated £3.39bn by 2016.

Book Publishing Industry in the United Kingdom

Table of Contents


Foreword

Executive Summary

Market Definition
REPORT COVERAGE
MARKET SECTORS
Consumer Books
Academic and Professional Books
School Books Including English Language Teaching Books
MARKET TRENDS
The Economic Climate's Impact on Bookselling and Publishers
E-Books
Declines in Book Prices
Libraries Remain Under Threat
ECONOMIC TRENDS
Population
Gross Domestic Product
Inflation
Unemployment
Household Disposable Income
MARKET POSITION
The UK
Overseas

Market Size
THE TOTAL MARKET
Publishers' Sales
Book Output
BY MARKET SECTOR
Consumer Books
Academic and Professional Books
School and English Language Teaching Books

Industry Background
RECENT HISTORY
Book Clubs
INDUSTRY CONCENTRATION
NUMBER OF COMPANIES
EMPLOYMENT
REGIONAL VARIATIONS IN THE MARKETPLACE
DISTRIBUTION
Retailers
HOW ROBUST IS THE MARKET?
LEGISLATION
KEY TRADE ASSOCIATIONS
Book Marketing Ltd
Booksellers Association
Nielsen BookData
The Publishers Association

Competitor Analysis
THE MARKETPLACE
Consumer Books
Academic and Professional Books
School Books and English Language Teaching Books
MARKET LEADERS
Amazon.co.uk Ltd
Blackwell UK Ltd
Book Club Associates Ltd
The Book People Ltd
British Bookshops and Stationers Ltd
Waterstones Booksellers Ltd
WH Smith PLC
The Works Stores Ltd
MARKETING ACTIVITY
Exhibitions
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
OPPORTUNITIES
THREATS

Buying Behaviour
CONSUMER PROFILE
By Type
Current Issues
E-BOOKS
The Current Market and New Releases
Legislative Changes
RETAILERS MOVE INTO PUBLISHING
WORLD BOOK NIGHT
BOOK TO FILM ADAPTATIONS

The Global Market
OVERVIEW
Forecasts
INTRODUCTION
FORECASTS TO
MARKET GROWTH
FUTURE TRENDS
Digital Innovations
Decline in Students at University
Up-and-Coming Book Releases
Company Profiles
INTRODUCTION
DEFINITIONS
Turnover (Sales)
Pre-Tax Profit
Profit Margin
Average Remuneration
Sales per Employee
FURTHER INFORMATION

AMAZON.CO.UK LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios

BLACKWELL UK LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios

BOOK CLUB ASSOCIATES LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios

THE BOOK PEOPLE LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Code
Structure
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios

WATERSTONES BOOKSELLERS LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Code
Structure
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios

WH SMITH PLC
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Codes
Structure
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios

THE WORKS STORES LTD
Previous Name(s) and Date(s) of Change
Principal Activities
SIC Code
Structure
Recent Developments
FINANCIAL PROFILE
Sales
Profits
Employees
Balance Sheet/Ratios

Further Sources
Associations
Publications
General Sources
Government Publications
Other Sources
Key Note Sources
Key Note Ltd

Understanding TGI Data
Number, Profile, Penetration
Social Grade
Standard Region

Key Note Research

The Key Note Range of Reports