THE MARKET
The UK and Irish book trade is increasingly competitive and has seen continuing and accelerating change. CDSA is committed to a market-led approach to maximise the potential of every individual title across all relevant accounts.
Current changes we are responding to include:
The extensive consolidation across the publishing, bookselling and library supply sectors
The dramatic growth of non-traditional outlets including supermarkets, specialist retailers and internet booksellers.
The emergence of an increasingly sophisticated and value-conscious customer base in the post-NBA marketplace, against which the convergence of bookshop promotional offers has left chain booksellers struggling to differentiate themselves from their competitors
The continuing pressure on publishers' margins as bookseller consolidation increases the buying power of the major chains
The significant expansion of the role of head office buying and marketing departments within the major bookshop chains. This has led to smaller publishers finding it increasingly difficult to get appointments with head office buyers.