Sales in the adult book segment rose 2.3% in April over April 2014, according to figures released by the AAP as part of its StatShot program. The increase was led by double-digit gains in downloaded audio and hardcover which helped to offset a 7.0% decline in e-book sales. E-book sales were off 3.6% in the first four months of 2015 compared to 2014, the only adult format down in 2015. April sales in the children’s/young adult category fell 12.6% with e-book sales plunging 51.6% in the month and hardcover sales off 12.1%. Board books were a bright spot in the category with sales up 36.2%. The StatShot figures are based on sales from 1,210 publishers.
| Category | Change April | YTD |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Hard | 15.8% | 2.2% |
| Adult Paper | -4.0% | 11.4% |
| Mass Market | 5.0% | 7.4% |
| Physical Audio | -2.0% | 20.6% |
| Audio Download | 36.3% | 36.0% |
| Adult E-book | -7.0% | -3.6% |
| Children’s/YA | -12.6% | -15.1% |
| Religious Presses | -19.9% | -9.2% |
| Professional | 3.1% | 13.3% |
| K–12 Materials | 15.1% | 0.5% |
| Higher Ed. | -46.5% | -31.6% |
| University Presses | -5.6% | -6.6% |
(Comparisons of $ sales against same periods in 2014)
