U.S. publishers using IngramSpark now face a revised minimum wholesale discount of 40%
In a shakeup for authors and publishers, IngramSpark is bumping up the minimum wholesale discount for books distributed through them in the US from 30% to a steeper 40%, effective as of August 31. This move comes amidst pressure from unknown book retailers in the US, who've been urging IngramSpark to tackle the issue of authors and publishers offering meager wholesale discounts.
Here's what's changing: Newly distributed books and those with price changes must meet the minimum wholesale discount levels:
- US: 40% (up from 30%)
- UK: 35% (remains unchanged)
- European Union: 35% (stays the same)
- Australia: 35% (unchanged)
- Global Connect: 30% (same ol' 30%)
Prepare for a 10% hit in your profit if you set a discount in the US. Keep in mind, this update only applies to newly set up books or those with price alterations.
What's at Stake: Adjusting the US wholesale discount for your IngramSpark-printed books could impact:
- Profit from sales of your IngramSpark-printed books on US booksellers
- Profit from sales of your IngramSpark-printed hardcovers
On the flip side, there's no change in:
- The price you pay for copies ordered directly from IngramSpark
- Royalty from sales of IngramSpark-printed copies in foreign countries
Why the Increase? This policy tweak is aimed at meeting industry retailer demands, improving book discoverability, and making your titles more enticing to retailers. A higher wholesale discount boosts the likelihood of your book landing in physical and online store shelves. Major retailers favor a 40% discount for untested titles, so this change could help your books catch their eye. Additionally, it helps you compete better with traditionally published books in terms of retailer-friendly discounts. [2]
[2] - Info sourced from the publishing industry and IngramSpark-related discussions on various online forums and blogs.
In the realm of business and finance, this adjustment in the wholesale discount for books printed by IngramSpark might require authors and publishers to explore new technology solutions to maintain profitability, given the rise from 30% to 40% at US retailers. This shift in technology could potentially enhance the visibility of books, making them more appealing to book retailers and increasing the chances of being stocked both physically and online.
