Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Bookstores feeling pain from digital technologies
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Bookstores feeling pain from digital technologies
AFP - Tuesday, February 8
Send
IM Story
Print
Bookstores feeling pain from digital technologies
Slideshow: Full Photo Coverage: Internet Portals & Search Engines
WASHINGTON (AFP) - – Pundits might put a different spin on how and when it will happen but all see a struggle for survival by traditional booksellers thanks to a growing shift to electronic books and Internet sales.
And eyes are on the current woes of large US book retailers for how best to face the challenge.
Borders Group, which operates some 500 US stores, said in late January it would delay payments to vendors, landlords and others as it seeks to restructure its debt, but many analysts see bankruptcy or a sale looming for the second-largest US bookseller.
Last year, the money-losing number one US bookstore group, Barnes & Noble, indicated it was in discussions on a sale or other strategic options.
"Disruptive change is coming to the book businesses of the world and theyre looking to the US experience to understand the nature of that change and what to do to prepare for it," said Mike Shatzkin, head of the consultancy Idea Logical Company and organizer of the Digital Book World conference held recently in New York.
The Internet not only offers lower prices for many products but now can deliver books digitally to devices like Amazon's Kindle, the Apple iPad and others.
E-book sales, meanwhile, have more than doubled in each of the last three years, according to Shatzkin.
In the coming years, he sees the market for traditional booksellers tumbling from 72 percent of the sales to about 25 percent of the sales, a reduction of two-thirds.
This would mean a loss of 90 percent of bookstore shelf space over the next 10 years, and a drop from over 1,200 large bookstores in the United States to "maybe 150 decent-sized stores", he told AFP in an email exchange.
Amazon.com said last month it is now selling more Kindle books than paperback books -- 115 ebooks for every 100 paperbacks, in the US market.
"Bookstores lose customers two ways: to e-book sales and to print (books) sold online," Shatzkin said. "Print online is now about 25 percent of print sales and e-book sales are about 10 percent of print sales."
A Pew Research Center report showed five percent of Americans owned an e-book reader last year, but that may underestimate the trend because other devices including smartphones can be used for the same purpose.
According to Forrester Research, Americans spent an estimated $1 billion on e-book downloads in 2010 and the market is surging.
Forrester's James McQuivey said an estimated seven percent of Americans read e-books and that "this small, energetic group will grow so rapidly that it will easily spend nearly $3 billion on e-books in 2015."
Analysts said the lower cost and convenience of getting electronic books instantly has also put the sqeeze on the big book chains, after punishing the small, independent booksellers in recent years.
"The traditional bookstore is doomed by e-readers and online sales of hard copy books," Nobel laureate economist Gary Becker said in a blog post, describing a type of shift economists call "creative destruction", like replacing horse-drawn wagons with automobiles.
Becker said he still sees bookstores, but mainly to serve particular market niches -- like university bookstores that sell school merchandise, and other specialized stores that serve a small group.
Billy Hulkower, senior technology analyst at the research firm Mintel, said bookstores face a "trilogy of threats," -- online competition, e-books, and public libraries offering free books and digital content.
"Retailers need to focus on creating compelling reasons for patrons to visit bookstores, like concierge or recommendation services," he said.
Laurie Brock, president of the consultancy Brock Associates, said a recent survey by her firm shows consumers increasingly like their reading devices, especially those that have multiples uses.
In many cases, e-books are sold to "avid readers" who want more to read, Brock said.
For now, e-books are less expensive than printed books -- in many cases half the cost of a new hardcover, but the lower cost shakes up the economics of the entire industry.
"If people are only going to be reading ebooks, are publishers going to be able to keep them at the lower price point?" Brock asked. "Probably not, but Amazon has set the price low, and that's where the big debate is going now."
Shatkzin said the economics of the industry are being turned upside down by the digital revolution.
"Yes, it will be harder to make money," he said. "The prices of books will continue to fall. It will be easier to get published -- anybody will be able to do it -- but it will be damn tough to make much money at it."
And he said book merchants around the world will begin to feel the same impact soon.
"The rest of the world isnt so noticeable yet, but we all expect they will begin to very soon," Shatkzin said.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
S.African Twitter users tell Zuma they want jobs AFP - 17 minutes ago
Bahrain cyber-activists urge 'revolt' AFP - 18 minutes ago
US-TECH Summary Reuters - 1 hour 22 minutes ago
Ex-prosecutor blasts Sweden's handling of WikiLeaks case Reuters - 1 hour 22 minutes ago
Saudis use Facebook to press for reform AFP - 1 hour 33 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Anglo Irish Bank set to lose 17.6 bln euros
Chechen warlord claims Moscow airport attack
Obama courts top US executives, vows cooperation
Android tops iPhone in US: comScore
Brent oil price climbs back above $100
More Top Stories »
Related Full Coverage
Internet Portals & Search EnginesLatest development in the online world
All Full Coverage »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
US golfer Woods finds old habits hard to shake
Russia loses military satellite: reports
US auto sales jump 17 percent in January
Dow closes over 12,000 for first time since June 2008
Egypt's Mubarak to step down at September election
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 8 February 2011 South Sudan votes for independence by a landslide
Swiss police comb lakeside area for missing twins
Brotherhood warns it could quit talks with government
US-TECH Summary
'I get it,' Obama tells business, vows cooperation
Russia rebuffs US call for new arms talks
Google exec's release in Egypt confirmed by family
Brent oil price climbs back above $100
Google and EU in antitrust resolution talks: source
UK govt 'helped' Libya over Lockerbie bomber
Lebanon tribunal debates terrorism at first hearing
Afghan handover to start in first half 2011: NATO
|
Packers win NFL Super Bowl
Google exec's release in Egypt confirmed by family
Israel pushes forward disputed Jerusalem buildings
Assange faces 'denial of justice': lawyer
WikiLeaks' founder Assange fights extradition to Sweden
Mubarak fights Egyptian protest with pay rise
Outlawed ETA group forms new party, rejects violence
Haiti protesters want Preval out
|
Nokia up on revamp hopes, E7 starts deliveries
Palestinians ask U.N. recognition for Nativity church
Nokia gets delayed E7 mobile phone in some stores this week
Iran unveils missiles, satellites as warning to foes
Georgian police welcome virtual crime-fighters
Tunisia calls up army reserve to tackle violence
|
Hundreds attend funeral of Guantanamo Bay detainee
Website on defensive over Tibet ad
Bush to face torture case whenever abroad: activists
|
Afghan bombing kills 1; gunmen target local chief
Filmmakers protest Hungarian film industry overhaul
With new executive, Google steps up mobile ad efforts
France loans antique manuscripts back to S. Korea
Thai, Cambodia troops clash for fourth day on border
Top Jordan website back up after hacking
UN urges restraint in deadly Thai-Cambodia clashes
Nokia up on revamp hopes, E7 starts deliveries
Nokia gets delayed E7 mobile phone in some stores this week
Filmmakers protest Hungarian film industry overhaul
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Sony aims to sell more TVs in 2011/12: CFO
"Glee" Super Bowl episode more than doubles audience
With new executive, Google steps up mobile ad efforts
|
Would-be royal brides swoon at waxwork Prince William
Nokia starts shipping delayed E7 smartphone
Nokia up on revamp hopes, E7 starts deliveries
|
Spain's Prado, Russia's Hermitage to swap works
Palestinians want Bethlehem on UN heritage list
Bless me iPhone for I have sinned
|
Small fire in Smithsonian museum
Sumo: Japan TV commercial pulled over scandal
HP's Palm to unveil tablet; challenges loom
|
Armani denies plans for luxury hotel in Russia
TI phone chip to boast interactive projection, 3-D
|
Berlin magic mushroom museum show a major hit
Alcatel creates tiny base stations for data surge
|
Bridgestone is tops in Super Bowl advertising buzz
|
Glee Super Bowl episode more than doubles audience
|
Filming on Hobbit movies to start in March
|
U.S. X Factor to offer large record deal for winner
|
Families hope for freedom of Americans held in Iran
Chechen rebel leader claims Moscow airport bombing
Rumsfeld admits 'possible' Iraq troop mistakes
Cellphone security threats rise sharply
Assange faces 'denial of justice': lawyer
Android tops iPhone in US: comScore
Sprint to sell dual-screen Kyocera phone
Egypt protesters call for push to eject Mubarak
|
NATO service member killed in Afghanistan's south
U.S official's fate may threaten U.S., Pakistan ties: diplomat
|
Obama says U.S. to recognize South Sudan as sovereign
Android tops iPhone in US: comScore
Ken and Barbie's fate put to Facebook vote
South Sudan votes for independence by a landslide
|
Skepticism abounds as rival Koreas meet for talks
|
Intel to ship flawed chipsets in some cases
Islamist rebel says he ordered Russian bombing
|
Kindle puts readers and friends on same page
Uneasy peace holds after Thai, Cambodian troops clash
|
Reuters News names new editor-in-chief
Keith Olbermann headed to Current TV: Report
Bus plunges into ravine in Indonesia, killing 11
Muslim mob burns, ransacks churches in Indonesia
Indonesia demands probe into attack on Muslim sect
Suu Kyi's party seeks talks with West on sanctions
|
Ex-Philippine military chief commits suicide
US soldiers dead in Afghan blast: police
WikiLeaks' founder Assange fights extradition to Sweden
|
'Metrosexuals' on the rise in Pakistan
Suu Kyi party urges talks with West on sanctions
Haiti protesters want Preval out
|
225 rescued in Indonesian ferry fire
South Sudan preserves past to forge a proud future
Thai-Cambodian border quiet after deadly clashes
Fans celebrate Packers' triumph
Keith Olbermann headed to Current TV: Report
Scepticism abounds as rival Koreas meet for talks
'Naked chef' to debut on Hong Kong adult channel
Golden Globes organizers countersue ex-publicist
'Z'-names people react faster than 'A'-names: study
It's money
'The Roommate' moves into box office top spot
Cellphone security threats rise sharply
Junk food diet linked to lower IQ
AOL to buy The Huffington Post for $315 million
|
Sprint to sell dual-screen Kyocera phone
|
"Small Town" crime drama boasts compelling cast
Michael Moore sues Weinsteins over Fahrenheit 9/11
Intel to ship flawed chipsets in some cases
|
Toyota nine-month profits quadruple
Pakistan's Jan CPI up 14.19 pct yr/yr
WikiLeaks' founder Assange fights extradition to Sweden
|
Seoul shares dip 0.6 pct on shipyards, exporters
S.Korea seen intervening to curb won's rise -dealers
Oscar producers seek tweeting moms on awards night
|
Korea Hot Stocks-Steel shares firm on Japan merger plan
Pakistan
Japan shipyards call for currency action: report
Seoul shares dip 0.6 pct on shipyards, exporters
S.Korea department store sales rise sharply in Jan
NZ 91-day T-bills yield 3.07 pct at tender
NY exhibit pays homage to Apollo, black music greats
|
Oscar producers seek tweeting moms on awards night
|
Keith Olbermann headed to Current TV: Report
|
TV cover okayed for trial of Michael Jackson doctor
|
Michael Moore sues Weinsteins over Fahrenheit 9/11
|
Golden Globes organizers countersue ex-publicist
|
Factbox
Chechen warlord claims Moscow airport attack
Afghan leader: NATO reconstruction bases to go
Bomb explodes in central Kabul; no dead reported
Nokia faces key test with strategy announcement
Gunshots heard in centre of Tunis: witnesses
|
Hijacked oil tanker headed towards Somalia
|
Taylor's lawyer storms out of war crimes court
|
Thailand imposes tough security law to control protests
Italy prosecutors to seek immediate trial for PM
|
China's Olympic pollution cuts could reduce cancer
Attack on Indonesia's minority religious sect may reoccur
Horror star Christopher Lee to receive BAFTA award
Religious freedom in Indonesia in tatters: Amnesty
Mexico's wealthiest city struggles with new violence
South Korea cull 'poses environment threat'
FEATURE: Guest workers face hard life in Malaysia
Cricket greats feature in new Bollywood film
Should spies spend more time on Twitter?
|
FEATURE: The comic who can't be cowed
France's Orange ditches Google's DoubleClick for startup OpenX
|
Village near Thai-Cambodia border now a ghost town
China raises interest rates to tame inflation
Asian shares mixed as Dow hits two-year highs
Nokia software choice in focus as Elop takes stage
|
Pakistani rupee at 8-month high vs dollar; stocks ease
India government hit by new telecom scandals
|
Smartphone maker HTC invests in UK, US firms
S.Korea ruling party may consider new budget bill
China creates rare earth strategic reserves
Report: 20 mln N. Koreans rely on market economy
Spider-Man trapped in web of monumental folly
|
Bridgestone is tops in Super Bowl advertising buzz
|
Horror star Christopher Lee to receive BAFTA award
|
Google executive's 12-day Egypt blindfold ordeal
Should spies spend more time on Twitter?
Saudis use Facebook to press for reform
India government hit by new telecom scandals
Bookstores feeling pain from digital technologies
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights