Bookshop.org, the online bookselling platform launched in January 2020, has carved a significant niche for itself by championing independent bookstores. Its innovative business model, which shares revenue with local booksellers, has resonated with customers increasingly concerned about the dominance of online giants like Amazon. In its five years of operation, Bookshop.org has funneled over $35 million to independent bookstores, providing a vital lifeline, particularly during the challenging period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Building upon this success with physical books, Bookshop.org is now venturing into the digital realm, offering ebooks through its platform. This expansion represents a crucial step in its ongoing mission to support local bookstores and offer a viable alternative to Amazon’s expansive ebook market.
The new ebook platform empowers independent bookstores to directly sell digital books to their customers. This direct sales model ensures that bookstores retain all profits from ebook sales, unlike traditional models where platforms take a significant cut. Customers can browse ebooks on the Bookshop.org website and select a specific bookstore to support with their purchase, directly contributing to that store’s revenue. If a customer doesn’t designate a specific store, the profits are distributed partially to a pool shared among independent bookstores, with the remainder supporting Bookshop.org’s operational costs. This system ensures that independent bookstores benefit from every ebook sale made through the platform.
Bookshop.org’s CEO, Andy Hunter, identifies a critical gap in the ebook market: the inability of independent bookstores to effectively compete in the digital space. He envisions the ebook platform as a solution to this problem, enabling bookstores to reclaim a share of the ebook market currently dominated by Amazon. Hunter believes this move will further solidify Bookshop.org’s mission of supporting independent bookstores while also offering consumers a more ethical and community-focused way to purchase ebooks. Many readers who support local bookstores with their physical book purchases often resort to Amazon for ebooks due to convenience or lack of alternatives. Bookshop.org aims to change this dynamic.
The timing of Bookshop.org’s launch, just weeks before the global Covid-19 pandemic, proved providential. As physical bookstores faced unprecedented challenges due to lockdowns and restrictions, Bookshop.org offered a crucial online platform for them to continue reaching customers. The pandemic exacerbated existing pressures on independent bookstores already struggling to compete with large online retailers. Bookshop.org emerged as a timely ally, providing a much-needed alternative for customers seeking to support their local bookstores while also enjoying the convenience of online shopping.
Bookshop.org’s success is not just measured in its financial contributions to independent bookstores but also in the growing community of readers who actively choose to support local businesses. The platform’s popularity reflects a broader consumer desire for a more diverse and equitable bookselling landscape. While acknowledging the undeniable presence of Amazon, Hunter emphasizes the importance of a healthy market with multiple players competing and offering choices to consumers. Bookshop.org aims to contribute to this diversity, fostering a more vibrant and resilient bookselling ecosystem.
The expansion into ebooks represents a significant evolution for Bookshop.org, broadening its reach and impact. By empowering independent bookstores to participate in the digital book market, Bookshop.org further solidifies its position as a champion of local businesses and a vital player in the evolving landscape of bookselling. This move offers a promising pathway for independent bookstores to thrive in the digital age, connecting with readers who value community, ethical consumption, and the vital role of independent bookstores in the cultural landscape.
