New report on global digital book sales

A new report from Austrian publishing consultant Ruediger Wischenbart has analysed recent digital book sales trends in markets including Brazil, Italy, Spain, German-speaking countries and Latin America.

Data in the Digital Consumer Book Barometer report shows a rise in availability and use of streaming and subscriptions services, as well as increased use of libraries to access ebooks and audiobooks, in most of the surveyed markets. Improved digital marketing from publishers, which targets precise customers, was found to be one of the reasons for the sales bump.

Across all markets, there was a spike in audiobook sales and subscriptions in 2020 before a slight decline in 2021 and first quarter 2022. Sales and subscriptions levels remain significantly higher than during the pre-pandemic period.

Wischenbart noted that the interest in digital books has moved beyond traditionally popular categories, such as romance and mysteries. ‘Children’s books and young adult titles found new audiences,’ said Wischenbart. ‘As did other genre categories, such as certain types of nonfiction, such as self-help, self-improvement, spirituality.’

Category: International news