E-readers are boosting the book sector: new study
A new study has revealed that the majority of people who read books via digital formats are still buying physical books too.
The results of a poll of 1,000 UK adults conducted by marketing and print services provider St Ives Group, also show that people reading both digital and paper books get through on average 50% more books in a year than those who read in only one format.
Readers of both formats were found to finish an average of 27.3 books per year; more than one per fortnight. The 4% who only used e-readers completed 18.5 books annually in comparison to 17.4 for those reading only paper books.
The results of the poll reveal that 36% of respondents owned an e-reader which compares to 10% penetration in 2012 and 22% in 2013. However, just 4% of those surveyed admitted to only reading e-books, while 47% said they read both e-books and traditional paper books. With a further 37% only reading paper books, this appeared to counter fears that an increase in e-reader popularity is leading to a declining interest in paper formats.
Never Miss a Retail Update!The survey also revealed that e-readers are considered convenient and fashionable by consumers compared to paper books, but less tactile, relaxing or natural than their traditional counterparts.
Kate McFarlan, strategic director at St Ives Group’s printing business Clays, said: “Far from e-readers sounding the death knell for traditional publishing formats, our survey shows that people who own digital devices aren’t dismissing traditional books. This can only be good news for the book printing industry. As a business we have always believed that physical and digital books can co-exist, and the research supports our view.”
