Online Bookselling Winners and Losers for 2006
Below are my “Winners and Losers” for 2006 of the online bookselling world. Taken from the independent booksellers bias, of course. Send me your comments, if you have any.
WINNERS:
Abebooks - Stays strong without Amazon/Half, Buys into LibraryThing, Launch of BookFinder in UK, Creates innovative textbook marketing
Amazon - Despite taking it to sellers on shipping, sales are way up and it continues to support its used marketplace by making used book selection and prices clear on its own listings page.
The Art of Books - Continues to rock the inventory management world
LOSERS:
Big box chain stores - Both Barnes and Noble and Borders spent another year without improving their online presence.
Alibris - Sold off to private investors, No Half.com integration, CEO touts e-books on his personal blog, Elevates some sellers over others
Chrislands - Technology is making it easier and easier for doing it yourself, prices will need to come down to offer bookseller’s real value.
