Bookshop.org Launches Revolutionary Ebook Platform To Support Local Bookstores

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bookshop.org, the online platform championing independent bookstores, announces on its fifth anniversary that for the first time in history, local independent bookstores will be able to sell ebooks to their customers. Through Bookshop.org's Ebook platform, indie bookstores can go head-to-head with Amazon's Kindle apps. Built to bolster revenue streams for brick-and-mortar bookstores, Bookshop.org's digital books initiative is a monumental addition to its multi-award-winning giveback model and an advancement for the book industry. Empowering local bookstores to sell digital products and earn 100% of the profits from those sales highlights Bookshop.org's ongoing commitment to supporting local bookstores in the digital age.

Bookshop.org's new platform gives readers the ability to purchase and download ebooks from their favorite bookstores or on Bookshop.org's site. This innovation unlocks new income channels for authors and booksellers alike. 25% of readers in the US prefer ebooks, yet up until now they had no way to buy them from their local bookstore. The platform, available online via any web browser and through Bookshop.org apps on Apple and Android, launches with a diverse catalog of over three million ebooks, including works from all major publishers, providing something for every type of reader. The app also fosters community engagement by allowing readers to share their favorite book moments on social media.

"When we launched Bookshop.org, the vision was to support local bookstores in their battle against Amazon and other online retailers," says Andy Hunter, CEO and Founder of Bookshop.org. "This launch represents our commitment to bookstores and their communities. We're focused on keeping bookstores afloat and helping them flourish in the digital age."

Launched in January 2020, during a pivotal moment for bookstores, Bookshop.org has raised over $35 million for independent bookstores in the United States alone. As a certified B Corp, Bookshop.org allocates more than 80% of its profit margin to over 2,200 independent bookstores in the US.

"I've said it before – booksellers and bookstores save lives. I'm thrilled to see Bookshop.org's new platform making ebooks accessible while staying true to supporting independent bookstores," said James Patterson, Bestselling Author.

"This is the missing piece we've all been waiting for. Bookshop.org has already built a fantastic, essential ecosystem connecting bookstores with the authors and readers who love them," says Lev Grossman, American novelist and journalist. "Now with this new ebook platform, there's no limit to how far it can go and how big it can get."

"Many of our customers use ebooks for their accessibility, especially for folks with low vision," adds Cierra Cook Owner of Spoke & Word Books. "Having an alternative to Amazon is groundbreaking."

Digitally-inclined readers can directly support the bookstore of their choosing by ordering through Bookshop.org, ensuring the full profit goes to supporting that chosen store. Alternatively, profits from orders without a specified bookstore are distributed among all participating bookstores on the platform, further benefiting the literary community. To learn more about how you can help these communities thrive, please visit https://bookshop.org/info/about-us.

About Bookshop.org
Bookshop.org is an online bookstore that financially supports local, independent bookstores. Since its launch in 2020, Bookshop.org has earned over $35 million for local bookstores. It is a certified B Corp, carbon-neutral, mission-based business that believes local bookstores serve their communities and the public good.

The company has also won several awards; most recently Fast Company's 2023 Brands That Matter, Digiday's 2023 Greater Good Awards for 'Best Retail Model' and the 2023 Modern Retail Awards.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Bookshop.org