Americans Buying Fewer Books

Survey Finds Consumers Buying Less Books Due to Current Economy

Nearly 34 percent of Americans are cutting down on the number of books they purchase due to the economic downturn of the past two years, according to newly released data from PubTrack Consumer.

The PubTrack Consumer survey polled Americans of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds regarding what impact the current economic climate has had on their book-buying habits. In addition to finding that more than one-third of Americans have reduced their book purchases, the survey also discovered that 19 percent of consumers are either buying more used books or swapping books with others due to the economic downturn—14 percent of men reported they were more likely to adopt this frugal behavior now, while more than 23 percent of women said they were doing so.

Another gender disparity emerged when respondents were asked whether the economic climate has impacted their book buying in any way. While 57 percent of men said that the economy had made such an impact on them, more than two-thirds (68 percent) of women said that it had such an impact.

Other findings in the survey included the following:
• Nearly 13 percent reported buying fewer hardcover books and more paperbacks.
• Roughly 12 percent are buying books only at deep discounts or on sale.
• More than 10 percent are going to lower cost outlets for their book purchases.
• Only 2.6 percent of consumers are buying more books as a less expensive alternative to other forms of entertainment.
• Less than 2 percent said they were buying more e-books to download.
• Seniors (consumers over the age of 65) are the least likely age group to be cutting back on book buying due to the economy (26 percent).