The predictions made a few years ago, which stated that printed books would eventually disappear , were somewhat misguided and quite exaggerated, given the figures we have today. What does seem clear is that both digital and printed books can coexist very well for different purposes and reader needs.
And last year already saw the first sign of change in printed book sales after a period of stagnation in 2007, with digital book sales even falling for the first time since 2011. This increase is due to how bookstores have also been able to adapt to the changing times with offers and a variety of services.
An example of this is an independent bookstore in London that offers its customers personalized service. This space serves coffee and alcohol, and hosts events and special author talks to encourage the bookstore to become a unique cultural hub. I already discussed a few months ago how independent bookstores are managing to survive in this digital age.
Diversifying services is part of the success of these types of bookstores, where many customers prefer to buy in person rather than online. They take the time to hold the book in their hands, feel it, and finally purchase it.
Publishers are also doing their part to create more creative book designs, something customers are quickly responding to. And I'll finish with the figure you're probably eager to know: 85 million printed books have been sold this year , which is 4,3 million more titles than last year.