Book Distribution in Canada's English-Language Market

turner-riggs

May 2008

The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Catalog number: CH44-134/2008E
ISBN 978-1-100-10319-8
May 2008

Turner-Riggs
Strategy Marketing Communications
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
knockknock@turner-riggs.com • www.turner-riggs.com

Table of Contents

• Executive Summary
• 1.0 Introduction
  • 1.1 Distribution Basics
• 2.0 Trading Partners
  • 2.1 The Book Supply Chain in Canada's English-Language Market
  • 2.2 An Introductory Note on the Participants in the Supply Chain
  • 2.3 Distributors
  • 2.4 Sales Representation
  • 2.5 Wholesalers
• 3.0 Terms of Trade
  • 3.1 A Brief Introduction to the Canadian Book Trade
  • 3.2 Sales and Distribution Costs
  • 3.3 Wholesale Terms
• 4.0 Issues in Book Distribution
  • 4.1 Important Characteristics of Book Distribution
  • 4.2 Efficiency and Technology
  • 4.3 Economies of Scale
  • 4.4 Inventory Management
  • 4.5 The Role of a Large-Scale National Wholesaler
  • 4.6 The North American Supply Chain
  • 4.7 Price Deflation
  • 4.8 The Publisher-Distributor Relationship
• 5.0 Market Access for Canadian-Authored Titles
  • 5.1 Key Market Characteristics and Their Implications
  • 5.2 The Selection Function
  • 5.3 Publisher Size and Nationality
  • 5.4 Distribution Arrangements for Canadian-Owned Publishers
  • 5.5 The Situation for Canada's Smallest Publishers
  • 5.6 Summary
• 6.0 Digital Distribution
  • 6.1 Emerging Digital Distribution Systems
  • 6.2 The Digital Asset Distributor
  • 6.3 The Influence of Market Leaders
• 7.0 Conclusion