Publishers’ revenues (sales to bookstores, wholesalers, direct to consumer, online retailers, etc.) were $5.72 billion – up by $195.9 million (3.5%) for the first half of 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Tracked categories include: Trade – fiction/non-fiction/religious, PreK-12 Instructional Materials, Higher Education Course Materials, Professional Publishing, and University Presses.
Revenue for Trade Books grew by 3.0%, with revenue increases in both Adult Books and Childrens/YA books over 2016.
“What a testament to the importance of the publishing industry,” said Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO, Association of American Publishers. “Whatever the category, format or distribution platform, books remain a constant in the marketplace and in our lives.”
Trade Books
•By Category: In the first half of 2017, compared to the first half of 2016, trade sales were $3.27 billion – up by $95.8 million (3.0%) ◦Adult Books had $2.22 billion in sales, up $66.7 million (3.1%)
◦Childrens/YA Books had $852.4 million in sales, up $36.8 million (4.5%)
◦Religious Presses had $197.0 million in sales, down by $7.7 million (-3.8%)
•By Format: In the first half of 2017 vs. 2016 ◦Paperback/Mass Market books had $1.27 billion in sales, down $23.6 million (-1.8%)
◦Hardback books had $1.11 billion in sales, up $98.7 million (9.7%)
◦eBooks had $555.7 million in sales, down $26.8 million (-4.6%)
◦Downloaded audio had $157.7 million in sales, up $38.2 million (32.0%)
◦Other formats (including board books, physical audio) had $181.8 million in sales, up $9.4 million (5.4%)
Educational Materials and Professional Books
•Educational Materials: In the first half of 2017, compared to the first half of 2016 ◦PreK-12 Instructional Materials had revenues of $1.19 billion, flat at +0.1%
◦Higher Education Course Materials had revenues of $941.8 million, up by 11.2%
•Professional Books and University Presses: In the first half of 2017, compared to the first half of 2016 ◦Professional Books had revenues of $273.2 million, up 0.7%. These categories include business, medical, law, scientific and technical books.
◦University presses had revenues of $24.6 million, up 2.5%
http://newsroom.publishers.org/book-publisher-sales-were-572-billion-in-the-first-half-of-2017/