Launching the 2023 report on International Bookselling Markets

The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) publishes the 2023 edition of its International Bookselling Markets report. This document marks the fourth consecutive year of EIBF producing such a report –formerly titled Global– which summarizes the current trends shaping the bookselling sector across the globe.

(You can view the report here)

With input from 24 national booksellers’ associations, EIBF associate members, and partners from 21 countries, this edition of the report has had the highest level of participation yet, and it is a testament to the real capacity of EIBF’s international network. The findings in this report are based on direct input from national booksellers associations, EIBF associate members, and partners in the following countries: Belgium, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

Additionally, it incorporates book sales data from third-party sources for Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Denmark, India, Mexico and South Africa.

Key findings from the report include: 

•  Higher turnover for booksellers in 16 surveyed markets. However, this was largely driven by increased supply chain costs and book prices, while unit sales declined in 11 of these countries. Most notably, half of the markets with a reported turnover growth scored under in unit sales. 

   

• VAT on books remains a significant concern. Increases have been implemented in Switzerland and Sri Lanka as of January 2024, with potential tax changes looming in markets like Finland, Slovakia, and the Netherlands, which could severely impact the industry.

The result of the 2023 report on International Bookselling Markets is a testament to EIBF’s growing impact as a network representing the bookselling sector globally and strengthening ties between booksellers' associations across Europe and beyond.