New Report Identifies Forces Shaping Book Publishing

Posted on June 27, 1997

A report published this week identifies a number of key issues that will impact the book business as the millennium approaches.

Published by consultancy Open Book Publishing, The 1997 Perspective on Book Publishing: Numbers, Issues & Trends focuses on the issues and events shaping the direction of the major segments -- consumer; educational, professional and international. Also included are in-depth chapters on bookselling; mergers, acquisitions, alliances; technology; forecasts, financial results; and a chronology of events that runs from January 1996 up through mid-1997.

"Vital signs are good for most segments," said Stephanie Oda, co- author of the report. "Adult trade has hit a rough spot, but it will rally, as did children's books following a recession in the mid-90s." Among key findings included in the report:

--Subtext's estimate of the 1996 U.S. sales of the 10 largest foreign-based publishers puts their share of the U.S. market at 35.8%, or $7.2 billion.

--Consolidation continues to concentrate the major share of book publishing among the 20 largest houses in the industry. A Subtext survey found that this group accounts for $17 billion, or 85% of U.S. publishing sales.

--Eight North American publishers reported sales of $1 billion or more in 1996.

--Globalization is a prominent trend in professional publishing, particularly in the scientific/technical/medical area.

--As in retailing and publishing, consolidation is a trend in distribution, and the diminishing numbers of small national distributors do not bode well for independent publishers.

--Copyright laws will be a major factor in the viability of Internet publishing.

--In adult trade, direct distribution by publishers will overtake the wholesaler venue.

--Sales of the 10 largest North American book chains total about $5.8 billion.

--The most dramatic shrinkage in the number of players is occurring in the educational publishing arena. promising market.

--The professional publishing segment continues to lead all industry segments in export sales.

The 200+ page study, which sells for $349, includes 69 tables presenting latest essential industry data available from organizations that collect statistics on the industry, as well as original surveys conducted by the editors.

Open Book Publishing publishes Subtext, a bi-weekly book industry newsletter.