Australia Reads campaign: Nielsen reports sales up almost 5%

Thursday, 5 November 2020 Books+Publishing

Nielsen Book Australia reports that sales of print books are up nearly 5% on the previous year.

Territory manager Bianca Whiteley said that, for the year to the week ending 10 October, the market is ‘up close to 5% on the same period in 2019’.

‘The escapism found in fiction has proven to be a popular choice with Australian book buyers, with an additional $23 million worth of sales in this sector so far this year to date,’ said Whiteley. ‘Genres such as Historical and Mythological Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy and the “fast reads” and bingeable nature of graphic novels make for an easy escape at home.’

The Nielsen data was shared in promotion of the Australia Reads campaign, which reported its own Twitter poll of readers found 74% of respondents said they had changed their reading habits during Covid, with 64% reporting reading more.

This year’s Australia Reads campaign will include virtual and in real life reading promotions, including three free online events and the giveaway of 4000 books at King George Square Station in Brisbane on 12 November. The giveaway, more than double the number of books given away last year, will be a mix of special Australia Reads titles and brand-new titles from Australian publishers. ‘TransLink Customer Liaison Officers will be on the ground encouraging Brisbane to read on their morning commute,’ said a statement from Australia Reads.

Australia Reads chair and CEO of Hachette Australia Louise Sherwin-Stark said the 2020 Australia Reads campaign ‘is bigger and better than ever before thanks to our ability to connect more inclusively through virtual events, great support from authors, and excellent partnerships to spread the good word on reading’.

For more information on the Australia Reads campaign, and to make a reading pledge, visit the website.

Category: Local news