Book Sales Results for January to September 2014

This illustration was sent in by Michelle Kogan to help get us in the festive mood for the New Year. Michelle teaches art, and in the summers spends a good amount of time painting plien air in gardens and nature venues in the Chicago area, including the Chicago Botanic Garden, Lurie Garden in Millennium Park, and the Lincoln Park Conservatory. http://www.michellekogan.com

As reported by Publishers Marketplace: Trade book sales as measured by the AAP turned significantly negative for the first time all year in September, ratifying concerns that the lack of new breakout hits might weigh on consumer traffic and sales during the most important months of the year. Total trade sales of $618 million were down $44 million (or 7 percent), compared to $662 million a year.

Adult sales, which have been soft all year, accounted for all of the decline and then some, down $58.5 million (or 12 percent). Once again, hardcover sales — or weak frontlist — fell the most, down $41.3 million. Children’s and YA sales continued to gain though less so than in previous months, up $15 million (or 9 percent), to $183 million. (Those gains will likely be moderate for the rest of the year, as comparisons will get more difficult versus Veronica Roth’s breakout in late 2013.)

eBook sales also followed their pattern from previous months: Adult ebook revenues were flat at $106 million, as children’s ebook sales gained $3.7 million, to $17 million.

Trade sales are still in positive territory for the year, up 3 percent, though current indications point towards finishing 2014 flat or down slightly.

Here is our cumulative comparison chart for the year so far:

Month	Adult Sales	Change vs. 2013	Children’s/YA Sales	Change vs. 2013	eBook Sales	Change vs. 2013
January	$362 million	+$10 million	$144 million	+$44 million	$137 million	+$15.5 million
February	$325 million	+$6 million	$137 million	+$35 million	$134 million	+$6 million
March	$316.5 million	-$23.5 million	$133 million	+$22 million	$108.5 million	-$7.5 million
April	$363 million	-$20 million	$128 million	+$24 million	$138.5 million	+$19.5 million
May	$371 million	-$37 million	$154 million	+$39 million	$120 million	+$3 million
June	$367.5 million	-$3 million	$129 million	+$18.5 million	$129 million	+$11 million
July	$367 million	+$13 million	$133 million	+$15 million	$127 million	+$6.5 million
August	$415 million	+$8 million	$179 million	+$29 million	$124.5 million	+$2.5 million
September	$435 million	-$58.5 million	$183 million	+$15 million	$123 million	+$4 million

 

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy