Just wondering.

Given the current situation with the economy, the cost of living rapidly rising etc what does this mean for the book trade? Will all the belt tightening have a major impact on booksales?

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/60937-bleak-outlook-for-highstreet.html

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/60916-tough-market-strains-chains.html

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/60933-oil-price-hike-causes-pain-for-book-trade.html

Not looking very cheery, I fear. On the other hand

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/57334-whs-claims-strong-start-to-2008.html

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/58221-sales-accelerate-at-waterstones.html

Emma

People will continue to buy and read books - maybe more so, in their search for escapism.
But that is different form the publishing industry who may well reduce the number of new titles that are published. There is too much choice out there already, so I doubt the buying public will notice the contraction apart from their local indie bookshop on the high street going bust.


- NaomiM