eBook Sales Pass Physical Books
For the first time, eBook sales have passed physical book sales, as of the last quarter. It looks like we are entering the time of eBooks for real!
“Net sales revenue from eBooks have surpassed hardcover books in the first quarter of 2012.
According to the March Association of American Publishers (AAP) net sales revenue report (collecting data from 1,189 publishers), adult eBook sales were $282.3 million while adult hardcover sales counted $229.6 million during the first quarter of 2012. During the same period last year, hardcover accounted for $335 million in sales while eBooks logged $220.4 million.
Here’s more from the report (Q1 2012 chart embedded above): “In Q1 2012, net sales revenue for eBooks was higher than that for Hardcover; this represents a switch of positions in the category vs Q1 2011. In both quarters, however, Trade Paperback remained a clear #1 in net sales revenue despite some erosion. While eBooks continue to show growth, downloaded audiobooks also keep accelerating vs last year – as some experts have said, tied to ongoing popularity and acquisition of smartphones and mobile devices.”
At the same time, the YA/Children’s category saw hardcover growth. Hardcover revenue in this category was $187.7 million for Q1, up nearly 67 percent. eBook sales in the same category skyrocketed almost 233 percent to $64.3 million.”