Book sales are steady, but tariffs are on publishers’ minds
Posted June 2, 2019 8:53 am.
NEW YORK — Thousands gathered to talk about upcoming books, hear from favourite authors and review the current market at the industry convention BookExpo and the fan-based BookCon.
Industry executives including Simon & Schuster CEO Carolyn Reidy agree sales overall are “solid,” if not dynamic.
But publishing also faces a variety of troubling unknowns and adjustments. Barnes & Noble, the country’s largest physical book retailer, has been struggling for years. One of the largest distributors, Baker & Taylor, is ending its retail business.
The most immediate concern is President Donald Trump’s threatened 25% tariff on some $300 billion worth of Chinese goods, including those from the country’s printing facilities. For years, U.S. publishers have relied on China for low-cost, high-capacity printing.
Hillel Italie, The Associated Press
