Issues in BooktradeIssues in Booktrade

•Book selling is key in various ways Book selling is key in various ways considering how it brings together considering how it brings together different players. The results of different players. The results of transaction in dissemination of transaction in dissemination of information and knowledge information and knowledge acquisition are vital in all sectors. If acquisition are vital in all sectors. If books were authored and not got to books were authored and not got to the bookshop shelves, users/readers the bookshop shelves, users/readers would never get to know the would never get to know the contents of those publications.contents of those publications.

•In part this can be attributed to In part this can be attributed to the recession, but there are the recession, but there are various other factors in play, various other factors in play, not the least being the demise not the least being the demise of small independent of small independent bookshops that have kept the bookshops that have kept the focus on the book as an focus on the book as an individual product rather than a individual product rather than a mass commodity. mass commodity.

•There is also an inverted snobbery There is also an inverted snobbery in the air, with attempts to brand a in the air, with attempts to brand a concern for books and their value as concern for books and their value as a form of élitism. a form of élitism.

•Running parallel with this process, Running parallel with this process, the book chains elbowed small the book chains elbowed small booksellers aside and starting many booksellers aside and starting many a gimmick to attract the reading a gimmick to attract the reading public. ‘Buy two books, get one free’ public. ‘Buy two books, get one free’ became a common slogan. became a common slogan.

•Books have done well in Books have done well in knowledge transfer leading to knowledge transfer leading to development in varied development in varied disciplines like education and disciplines like education and research. However, despite its research. However, despite its role, booktrade has its share of role, booktrade has its share of issues. These issues can be put issues. These issues can be put into two broad categories; into two broad categories; those within the booksellers those within the booksellers control and those withoutcontrol and those without

Challenges within Booksellers Challenges within Booksellers ControlControl

•ConsumersConsumers

•PublicityPublicity

•OrganizationsOrganizations

•Location and SetupLocation and Setup

•TrainingTraining

•Legal IssuesLegal Issues

Booksellers control cont…Booksellers control cont…

•Reading cultureReading culture

•Specialized book eventsSpecialized book events

•On-line sellingOn-line selling

•Changes in curriculaChanges in curricula

•Export and import procedure.Export and import procedure.

•Financial and records Financial and records managementmanagement

Those outside the Those outside the booksellers controlbooksellers control

•PoliticalPolitical

•EconomicEconomic

•SocialSocial

•TechnologicalTechnological