Sales of religion books increased 5.2% in the first quarter of 2024 over the comparable period in 2023 at the publishers who report their financial information to AAP’s StatShot Program. The increase came despite a 4.6% sales decline in March, and was the largest gain among all publishing segments. Total first quarter sales for the 1,227 publishers who report results to StatShot inched up 0.2%
The category was given a boost by gains of digital audio and e-books, where sales rose 9.5% and 6.6%, respectively. Total digital sales accounted for 13% of religion book sales in the quarter, a small increase over the 12.6% share the format held in the first quarter of 2023. Hardcover sales also performed well in the quarter, up 7.6%, but trade paperback sales slipped 0.3%.
The strong first quarter for religion books comes after religion led all publishing categories in 2023, according the AAP's StatShot program, up 7.8% over 2022.
Last month, religious publishers told PW that they were expecting another solid year in 2024. "It's a different day, and a good day," Doug Lockhart senior v-p for sales and marketing for HarperCollins Christian Publishing told PW, despite ongoing challenges such as the rising cost of printing. "There's a lot of angst in the world today and people are looking for answers," Lockhart said, suggesting more and more people are turning to books to seek spiritual health.
