As it marks its fifth anniversary, Bookshop.org has launched a new salvo in its battle against Amazon — a new e-book platform that will enable independent bookstores to sell e-books for the first time.
Most e-book sales in the U.S. (over 70%) occur on Amazon, which owns the popular e-reader brand Kindle. Now, through the Bookshop.org e-book platform, indie bookstores can go head-to-head with Amazon’s Kindle apps by selling e-books themselves online.
Founder and CEO Andy Hunter launched Bookshop.org in 2020 as a “bulwark against the erosion of book culture by Amazon,” he said in a conversation with Retail TouchPoints. Over the last five years, the site has raised more than $35 million for independent bookstores across the U.S. The site brings together branded ecommerce storefronts for more than 1,700 independent bookshops, alongside affiliate “shops” from thousands of other brands and organizations — all of which can be set up for free. Bookshop.org handles the orders and fulfillment and shares a portion of the profits with the independent bookstore through a unique profit-sharing model.
Now, readers also can purchase and download e-books from their favorite bookstores or on Bookshop.org directly. The platform is available via any web browser and through Bookshop.org’s Apple and Android apps.
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“When we launched Bookshop.org, the vision was to support local bookstores in their battle against Amazon and other online retailers,” said Hunter in a statement. “This launch represents our commitment to bookstores and their communities. We’re focused on keeping bookstores afloat and helping them flourish in the digital age.”
Bookseller: ‘Having an Alternative to Amazon is Groundbreaking’
At launch the platform features more than 3 million titles; it’s also designed to foster community by allowing readers to share their favorite book moments on social media. Bookstores will receive 100% of the profits on e-books sold through their digital storefronts; for sales on Bookshop.org where an independent bookstore is not specified, profits will be distributed among all participating bookstores.
“This is the missing piece we’ve all been waiting for. Bookshop.org has already built a fantastic, essential ecosystem connecting bookstores with the authors and readers who love them,” said Lev Grossman, American novelist and journalist in a statement. “Now with this new e-book platform, there’s no limit to how far it can go and how big it can get.”
“Many of our customers use e-books for their accessibility, especially for folks with low vision,” added Cierra Cook, Owner of Spoke & Word Books in Milwaukie, Ore. in a statement. “Having an alternative to Amazon is groundbreaking.”
