British Publishing hits record book sales in 2012

2012 is the most profitable year for British publishers; a proof that digital growth isn’t killing the publishing industry.

10:12 05 May 2013

2012 is definitely a good year for British publishers who have reported record books sales last year. According to Publishers Association, sales of printed and digital books increased by 4per cent. On the other hand, ebook downloads increased by 66per cent.

Sales of digital fiction are up by 149per cent. Digital formats which include online subscriptions, audiobooks downloads, and ebooks, increased by 12per cent.

E L James’ Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy is the best-selling book of 2012 after it sold 10,509,988 copies. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins came in second with 2,113,017 copies sold. Children’s books also reported notable growth of 4per cent increased in sales last year.

 

These figures show that despite digital growth, British publishing isn’t going anywhere. The Publishers Association chief executive Richard Mollet said: “What publishers have been good at is making sure the books are available to consumers in as many places and formats as they demand. That’s something the music industry perhaps struggled with, although they had different threats.”

 

He added: “There is an inevitable slowdown going on. You expect that with any new technology but there is still very healthy growth.”