German book sales down 2.1%

Book sales in Germany were down 2.1% by value in 2022, according to statistics from the country’s publishers’ and booksellers’ association Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels (BDG), reports Publishing Perspectives.

The number of books sold also fell by 3%. The figures cover the German market’s central distribution channels including physical bookshops, Amazon and other online retailers, department stores, electronic outlets and drugstores.

BDG said the physical bookshop trade has not been able to reach its pre-pandemic levels but has regained sales. The retail sector was up 4.8% year-on-year. BDG CEO Karin Schmidt-Friderichs said 2022 was ‘a challenging year for the book market’.

‘Bookstores and publishers have mastered the coronavirus pandemic with great commitment, innovative spirit, and customer proximity,’ Schmidt-Friderichs said. ‘However, this time has been a major economic challenge for companies. The industry is now facing new hurdles due to procurement bottlenecks, rising production and energy costs, and a historic low in consumption. The general [level of] inflation means that book customers turn over every euro twice. In addition, consumer activity in the inner cities is low.’

Category: International news