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This blog is dedicated to the topics of Course materials, Innovation, and Technology in Education. it is intended as an information source for the college store industry, or anyone interested in how course materials are changing. Suggestions for discussion topics or news stories are welcome.

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Survey of Book-Buying Behavior

Verso Advertising recently released the results of its 2009 Survey of Book-Buying Behavior. The survey included 5,640 respondents and was weighted to mirror the 18+ U.S. population. The study has some interesting findings including:
  • 21.5% of book-buyers prefer to shop in local independent bookstores and 21.4% prefer to shop in chain bookstores however actual purchases do not reflect this. The effect is even more pronounced among avid book buyers.
  • A hybrid market is developing. Many people will buy and read both e-books and printed books.
  • E-reader penetration could reach 12-15% over two years. There is no near-term tipping point for e-reader adoption.
  • The primary time that consumers use e-readers is: reading at home (27%), traveling or commuting (24%), reading in bed (14%), during breaks in the workday (9%), and studying or school reading (6%).

PowerPoint slides of the findings can be found at this link.