Data showing how many books were sold in 2024 revealed that the printed book market remains healthy: a total of ***** million units were sold that year among outlets which reported to the source. Whilst this marked a small jump from the previous year, the figure peaked in 2021 and has not surpassed *** million since. Trade paperbacks remained the dominant format. Book sales statistics Looking at book sales by year, 2005 to 2010 were the most lucrative for the printed book market, with well over *** million units sold annually during that five-year period. After dropping below *** million in 2012, gradual and consistent increases can be seen each year, with the exception of between the years 2018 and 2019. For bookstores though, how many books are sold each year depends on the success of key months across a twelve-month period. Bookstore sales in the United States are at their highest in December, January, and August, but figures for December are consistently higher than other months. Books are popular holiday gifts, with around ** to ** percent of consumers responding to annual surveys in each year from 2012 to 2020 saying that they planned to purchase books as presents during the festive season.

The number of print books sold in the United Kingdom amounted to approximately *** million in 2023, representing a decline of around **** percent in volume compared to the previous year. Notably, the 2021 figure marked the highest on record since 2012, whereas the number recorded in 2020 was the first time since 2012 that book sales in the UK surpassed *** million, with *** million books sold nationwide that year. This growth was attributed mostly to the coronavirus outbreak, which saw many consumers increase their media consumption during various local and national lockdowns. Book consumption and COVID-19 In March 2020 when countries across the world implemented measures to stem the spread of the coronavirus, consumers upped their in-home media usage to keep themselves occupied during lockdown. Close to ** percent of UK internet users who participated in a survey in March 2020 reported reading more books or listening to more audiobooks at home during that time, and later waves of the survey held in May saw that figure climb above ** percent. By the summer of 2020, despite the gradual reopening of society as infection rates declined, a survey held in July showed that consumers expected in-home media consumption changes even after the pandemic came to an end. Book consumption, both physical and digital, ranked among the top ten media formats UK consumers planned to spend more time with in the future. Digital book market Digital books are growing more and more popular in the United Kingdom, with e-book download frequency having increased in the last few years along with general e-book access. Audiobooks are also carving a path for themselves in the market, and consumer audiobook download sales revenue was close to *** billion GBP in 2019. In the same year, book publishing houses reported *** million British pounds in revenue generated through digital books sales, up from *** million a decade earlier.

Net value of book sales by customer category, includes all members under Net value of book sales by customer category, for Book publishers, for Canada and regions, for one year of data.

Online booksellers sell books online, including e-books and audiobooks. The industry is dominated by Amazon.com Inc. (Amazon), which popularized the sale of books online and was essential to the uptake of e-books. Amazon has grown to account for more than four-fifths of all revenue from books sold online; so many industry trends directly result from Amazon. The industry has continued to grow rapidly as e-commerce has grown in popularity. Growing e-book popularity is also tied to the proliferation of e-readers such as Amazon's Kindle and tablets like Apple's iPad. Revenue for online booksellers is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.6% to $10.0 billion through the end of 2024. The industry has likewise benefited from a strong economy. While the COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a unique disruptive force, its effect on the industry was ultimately positive. Online commerce boomed as brick-and-mortar locations were shuttered and required to operate with restrictions throughout the pandemic. Despite Amazon's dominance, new upstarts have attempted to challenge its business model given the low barriers to entry. Shortly before the pandemic, Bookshop, an online book marketplace, launched to challenge Amazon's monopoly in the market by working with local booksellers. Still, entrants endure stiff challenges as they attempt to enter an industry with several well-established sellers. Without regulatory changes, Amazon will continue to reap most benefits from expanding online book sales through the end of 2029. The industry is expected to strengthen because of rising e-commerce sales, rising e-book and audiobook consumption and a strong economy. Profit will remain limited as Amazon is known to sell products, especially books, at retail prices below retail prices to expand its control of the overall market. Revenue for online booksellers is expected to swell at a CAGR of 2.9% to $11.5 billion through the end of 2029.

The sales of books by language of printing , by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 511130 book publishers, which include all members under sales, (dollars X 1,000,000), every 2 years, for five years of data.

Retail sales data for bookstores in the United States showed that the sales of U.S. book retailers amounted to *** million U.S. dollars in April 2025, marking an increase from the *** million recorded in the same month of the previous year. Book formats in the United States Print books still generate the majority of book sales revenue in the United States, with hardback books alone pulling in *** billion U.S. dollars of the *** billion total in 2021. Meanwhile, e-book sales growth is sluggish. The number of e-books sold each year is notoriously difficult to track and results depend on the data provided by publishers, and official figures show that annual e-book revenue has yet to reach *** billion U.S. dollars. When it comes to audiobooks, physical audiobook revenue has fallen consistently since 2017, whereas downloaded audio revenue is increasing. Audiobook consumption Audiobook sales revenue is climbing in tandem with the share of U.S. adults listening to audiobooks in general. One of the advantages of audiobooks is the ability to enjoy them whilst on the move, but data shows that more and more consumers have begun listening to them at home. Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic led to increased in-home media consumption, the home was already a popular location for audiobook listening prior to the outbreak, with a survey from 2019 revealing that the same share of respondents listened to audiobooks at home as those who did so in the car. Given their unique appeal, audiobooks will continue to gather ground. Print, however, is still the preferred book format, and new print books outperform used books in terms of popularity which is good news for the book market.

Graph and download economic data for Breakdown of Revenue by Media Type: Books - Print Books for Book Publishers, All Establishments, Employer Firms (RPCMPBEF51113ALLEST) from 2013 to 2022 about book, printing, employer firms, accounting, revenue, establishments, services, and USA.

The sales by nationality of authors by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 511130 book publishers, which include all members under breakdown of sales by nationality of authors, (dollars X 1,000,000), every 2 years, for five years of data.

As of April 2025, the book category with the highest sales revenue in Norway were non-fiction books, with a revenue of around ****** million Norwegian kroner so far that year. The second-highest revenue figure came from fiction, with over *** million Norwegian kroner.

Fiction book sales in Sweden reached over 14 million in 2024, up from 13.09 million in the previous year. Since 2015, annual sales in this category have consistently remained above ten million. Notably, 2023 marked the third consecutive year in which fiction book sales exceeded 12 million. In 2024, the sales volume surpassed 14 million for the first time on record, highlighting a new peak for the Swedish fiction book market.

Today, Flipkart.com is the country's one of the best online bookstore, selling more than lakhs of books every year. Types of Books you can sell at Flipkart are: -Novels. -Education and Professional Books. -Business and Economics Books. -School Books. -Vernacular Language Books. This dataset helps to visualize Flipkart's bests books sold in the year 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Retail Sales: Book Stores (MRTSSM451211USN) from Jan 1992 to Jul 2025 about book, retail trade, sales, retail, and USA.

Book, e-book and audio book sales increased in Germany during recent years. While numbers fluctuated, they were still impressive. In 2011, total sales of all three book types amounted to just under *** billion euros, in 2024 this figure had grown to almost *** billion euros. Since 2022, figures have started to decrease again.

China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data was reported at 9.565 % in Oct 2015. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.338 % for Sep 2015. China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data is updated monthly, averaging 14.190 % from Jan 2006 (Median) to Oct 2015, with 89 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 34.620 % in Mar 2011 and a record low of 6.050 % in Sep 2006. China Printed Book: YoY: Sales Revenue: Year to Date data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Industrial Sector – Table CN.BHK: Printing: Printed Book.

Online Second Hand Books Market Outlook

The global online second hand books market size was valued at USD 3.5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 6.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. This market's growth can be attributed to increasing digital literacy and the rising trend of sustainable consumption among people. The growing inclination towards affordable reading options and the convenience of online shopping are also major driving factors.

One of the most significant growth factors for this market is the increasing awareness and adoption of sustainable consumption practices. Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious, and this is driving the popularity of purchasing second-hand items, including books. The trend is particularly strong among younger generations who are more attuned to issues of sustainability and environmental impact. Additionally, the cost-effectiveness of second-hand books compared to new ones makes them an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.

The rise of online marketplaces has also significantly contributed to the growth of the online second hand books market. Platforms such as Amazon, eBay, and specialized book-selling websites have made it easier than ever to buy and sell used books. These platforms offer a wide range of titles, from fiction and non-fiction to academic and children's books. Enhanced user interfaces, secure payment options, and reliable delivery services further boost consumer confidence and convenience in purchasing second-hand books online.

Another growth factor is the increasing digital literacy and internet penetration across the globe. With more people gaining access to the internet, the potential customer base for online second-hand book sales is expanding. This is particularly impactful in developing regions where mobile internet usage is growing rapidly. Increased internet accessibility not only broadens the market but also facilitates the growth of niche segments within the second-hand book market, such as rare and out-of-print books.

The regional outlook for the online second hand books market shows promising growth across various continents. North America and Europe currently dominate the market due to high internet penetration and a well-established culture of book reading. However, the Asia Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the rapid increase in internet users, rising disposable incomes, and growing awareness about sustainable consumption. Countries such as India and China are emerging as significant markets due to their large, literate populations and increasing acceptance of online shopping.

Product Type Analysis

The product type segment in the online second hand books market is categorized into fiction, non-fiction, academic, children's books, and others. Fiction books hold a substantial share of the market, driven by the timeless appeal of novels, short stories, and other literary works. The accessibility of these books at reduced prices makes them particularly popular among avid readers who seek variety without high costs. The fiction segment benefits from a steady influx of new bestsellers and classic titles that remain in demand over time.

Non-fiction books also constitute a significant portion of the online second hand books market. This category encompasses a broad range of topics, including biographies, self-help, history, and science. The demand for non-fiction is driven by readers looking to gain knowledge, personal development, and professional growth. Non-fiction books often have a longer shelf life compared to fiction, as the subjects they cover remain relevant for extended periods. This longevity adds to their appeal in the second-hand market.

Academic books form another crucial segment, particularly catering to students and educators. Given the high cost of new academic textbooks, the second-hand market provides an affordable alternative for learners. This segment is characterized by a high turnover rate, with new editions frequently replacing older ones. However, the core content of many academic subjects remains unchanged, ensuring a steady demand for used textbooks. Online platforms also offer a convenient way for students to buy and sell these books, enhancing the segment's growth.

Children's books, including picture books, early readers, and young adult novels, represent a growing segment in the second-hand market. Parents and educators fi

In 2022, data representing 29 national associations of publishers in Europe found that 45.6 percent of books were sold in bookstores and specialized stores. Online sales accounted for 25.8 percent of the total, whilst 11.2 percent of books were sold through supermarkets or other stores.

Estimates show that *** million e-books were sold in the United States in 2020, according to the most recently available data. Precise figures on e-book sales are difficult to gather due to smaller publishers and major retailers such as Amazon being missed from sales data, and other factors such as the varying methodologies sources use to track and measure the market. For example, whilst figures for 2016 and 2017 are lower than the immediately preceding years, it was noted that figures for these years only included around *** publishers. E-books in the U.S. E-book sales revenue in the United States fluctuates, and like unit sales, is prone to readjustments and changes in measurement. The best and most accurate estimates place revenue at over *********** U.S. dollars, the highest recorded so far but only a small improvement from the numbers given for 2017 and 2018. Expenditure on digital book readers also wavers, tending to hover between ** and ** U.S. dollars per year. In 2013, annual spending on e-readers averaged over ** U.S. dollars, but the number has not reached that level again since, suggesting that such devices have already lost ground as consumers instead opt to use their smartphones for on-the-go media consumption. E-book readers Book fans all across the United States read e-books, though data on e-book readers by urbanity shows that consumers in rural parts of the country are less likely to engage with the format than those living in urban and suburban areas. Survey data on print and digital book readership highlights the continued preference for print, with only a small number of consumers exclusively reading digital books. However, growing numbers of book readers favor a combination of print and digital books, which is good news for publishers branching out beyond traditional formats but still wanting to produce printed books.

In 2024, online bookstores in China recorded a four percent revenue increase in literature and art books sales than previous year. Overall, online book retail sales reported to decrease by 1.37 percent in the country.

E-commerce sales by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) include all members under distribution of sales, for book publishers, for Canada, for two years of data.

In 2024, the Swiss register book market decreased by -2.8% to $52M, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Register book consumption peaked at $57M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.