Sales of religious presses increased 11.2% in 2021 over 2020, reaching $705.1 million for the seven publishers and distributors who report sales to AAP's StatShot program; the ECPA also provides sales to the association.
Print formats made up most of the revenue, (76% of sales). Hardcover sales rose 13.1% and accounted for 61.7% of sales, or $435.7 million. Trade paperback sales increased 4.9%, making up 14.5% of sales.
E-books fell 8% in 2021, accounting for 6.9% of sales for a total of $49.2 million. Downloaded audiobook sales were up 9.4% in the year and accounted for 5.6% of 2021 revenue, the AAP said.
The figures are from AAP's year-end StatShot announcement that saw total industry revenue rise 12.2% from the 1,369 publishers who report data to the association. Later this year the AAP will issue estimates for total industry sales, which combines StatShot figures with projections for companies that do not report data to the association.
