Book Sellers Discount structure in India.

The Normal discount structure to Book sellers is based on the category of Books they sell, it varies from 15% to 40% on current titles, Up to 70%-90% on remainders.

Educational text books (Like Dhapathirai publisher's) are offered only 15% to the Book seller's other's like technical publication Pune which sells through Prgathi books offers 25%

In well known Publisher's like TMH,PHI,Pearson etc,Bookseller's get a discount of minimum 30% to 33% ,and even more depending on the quantity & reputation.

Ironically the short discount Inland publisher's books which was selling less earlier started selling more in quantity, As these Books

• are priced at lower end.
• covers the entire syllabus ,
• are written in an simple English.
• helps in exam point of view to score marks

students prefer Inland publishers than renowned publishers books like TMH,PHI, Pearson.

As educational institutes are Mushrooming Increase in Intake has reduced the quality of students,quest for knowledge is vanishing & Thirst for scoring marks is increasing this has resulted in booming the sale of inland publishers.

Non availability of stocks of leading publishers Books (like TMH,Pearson,PHI etc) with the wholesalers during beginning of semester & academic year is also another major reason to support Inland publishers

Mostly these inland Publisher books are Authored by professor of college in a particular area,these books are being recommend by his friends who works in various college in that area as a gesture of friendship .Hence its being felt discount is not necessary as the books directly goes to the college from the author turned publishers,the small discount they offer goes to his friend who recommends & sells the Books in that college.Book seller who has been working with publisher for ages finds no role to play in this new system.

seeing this opportunity even leading Book wholesalers who represent leading publishers contact the college directly to keep themselves fit & alive in this race

Educational Book sales through books store has reduced which resulted in increase in demanding Discount structure on other books (like general books, regional Language books,Management,Fiction,Non Fiction & children's books) which has to depend on Book stores for sales,to meet the overheads of running a bookstore in a competitive environment.

English Books which was sold at 30% discount to bookstores now is being sold at 33-35% and even more based on Volumes & reputation.

regional language books which are Sold at 20%-25% discount is now being sold at a discount of 25%-33% and even more based on volumes & reputation.

Children's books in English are sold at a discount ranging 33%-40% depending on the publishers .

many books are sold on sale or return (consignment ) basis & return & replacement.

credit period to book seller's which was earlier 30-45 days, is now increased to 90-120 days but realisation of payment takes even 10-20days more from leading book stores.

Distributors/wholesaler's who operated before at a gross margins of 10-15% are now reduced to 5%-10% with this reduce in operating margins wholesalers in India who wish leverage on their distribution & liquidation of stocks through their business contacts , turn as publishers by hiring local authors who are being offered a throw away royalty.

With Globalisation Bigger giants doing extremely well in various Industries, Reluctant Publisher's have shown a path to wholesalers who turned as publishers & Author turned publishers to flourish in the market.

its looks fishy on one side the discount structure of leading publishers is being increased, but the sales is not increasing,on the other hand inland publishers discounts are as low as 15% -25% but still their sales grow year after year.

Increase in discount & credit was done only to increase the sale & profits, but its not reflected in our balance sheet. If sales demand is created by publishers, Booksellers will satisfy themselves with the descent margin they are offered.

The key to success lies not in offering more discount & credit days , But In creating demand for your books in Books stores through enquires & sale . Also through ensuring prompt availability of your books in wholesale & through supply in time to book stores.

Increase your sales through walk-in's

The best way to increase your sales is to increase your book sales in retail outlets,It looks simple But whether its easy, all that looks simple is not that easy because all that looks simple has to executed.the best way to increase retail sales is to increase their walk in & enquiries. Increasing the walk in is not that easy a lot of systematic act ivies, campaigns & promotions are required to increase store walk in,Even Bigger stores Do Regular activities to Increase the Walk in of customers,to name a few

• Recently oddessy has promoted an offer of Buy 3 books & get the lowest priced book absolutely free.they do regularly do authors meet.
• Landmark Did its mega Discount sale up to 60%, They also regularly organise author's meet.
• Oxford does book launches,author- readers meet & Discount sale regularly.
  

the above mentioned are very few examples,you have to design your own activity to promote walk ins.
publishers can join hands with Retailers in getting activities done,they can supply their books for exhibitions that are organised by the book stores, offer extra discounts for discounts fair, Book stores can also associate with like minded companies like Pepsi,Coke, Fan ta,Reliance to do promos & campaigns

store walk ins is directly proportional to your growth ,Increase your walk in customer, he is going to be your treasure for your future.Make him feel delighted by your approach & service he will make you feel delighted when you look at your sales figure & Profits.

from next time u meet a small book store owner don't look just only for orders & payments,see how you can help him to sell more , offer a helping hand by talking with your bosses in your company.Update him whats happening around in the market & provide tips that can help him to increase his sales & walk in's.

many times Bigger companies rep's /executives don't respond to small orders they received from small book stores they are not given importance as they are small even if you cant supply directly, guide him from where he can get stocks from.

Remember every a book that sells in Bookstore is contributing for your growth,Your companies growth,Ocean is made of small drops & journey of thousand miles starts with a single step

good luck for your success journey.