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01 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
JaneCarowillopenthisyear’sconferencewithheroverviewofthebooksellingindustry,aforecastofwhereitmightbein5-10yearstimeandgivesinsightfromanadvertiser’sperspectiveonhowwemightkeepuporevenaheadofthegameinarapidlychangingindustry.
Janeisanawardwinningadvertisingwriterof33yearsstanding(Cannes,OneShow,Mobius,LondonInternational,Kinsale,AWARD,Caxton,AsiaPacific,ATV).Sheisalsoafrequentmediacommentatoronmarketing,advertising,communication,feminism,parentingandeducation.SheisaregularweeklycommentatoronChannel7’sWeekendSunriseandChannel9’sMornings.She
appearsfrequentlyonABC702,TheDrum,Q&Aand,ofcourse,thetop-ratingGruenPlanet.Sheisasoughtafterpublicspeaker,workshopfacilitatorandconsultant.
SheiscurrentlydevelopingaradioprojectonlonglastingrelationshipstocelebrateLifeMatters21styearonRN.
Shehaspublished3nonfictionbooks.TwowithChrisBonnoroneducationThe Stupid Country; How Australia is dismantling public educationandWhatMakes a Good School?(NewSouth,2007and2012),andonewithCatherineFoxonwomenandworkThe F Word; How we learned to swear by feminism.(NewSouth,2008).ShehasalsopublishedherfirstnovelJust a Girl(UQP,2011)andisworkingonasequelJust a Queen tobepublishedin2014.Hernextbook,tobereleasedinJune2013byPanMacmillan,
Inside this issue02 CEO’sreport 03 President’sreport04 Marketingideas
06 Digitalreport08 Employmentmatters10 ACBAreport11 ILFreport12 Retailleasing15 ABAnews16 Bookshopprofile
The official journal of the australian booksellers associationVOLUME 13 • ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2013 ISSN 1445-0437 01
89th ABA Annual Conference Keynote Speaker- Jane Caro
continued on page 04
For God’s Sake! An atheist, Christian, Jew and Muslim battle it out(sheistheatheist)waswrittenwithAntonyLoewenstein,SimonSmartandRachelWoodluck.SheisalsoeditingananthologyDestroying the Joint; Why women have to change the worldforUQPtobereleasedinMay,2013.
ShehasjustfinishedathreemonthstintfillinginforAnnabelCrabbwritingaweeklycolumnonthebackpageoftheSunHeraldandtheSundayAge.Shehasamonthlycolumn“ScenefromBelow”inMtMagazine.SheisfrequentlypublishedinnewspapersandonlinepublicationsallaroundAustralia.InDecember,2012shewasvotedthethirdmostinfluentialfemalevoiceinAustraliabythereadersofWomen’sAgenda,afterPMJuliaGillardandAnneSummers.SheisontheboardsofBellShakespeareandtheNSWPublicEducationFoundation.
JanehasbeentheChairofJudgesforAWARD,BrisbaneArtDirectorsandAdelaideArtDirectors.ShealsochairstheBellShakespeareArtisticAdvisoryPanel.SheisagraduateofTheBenevolentSociety’sSydneyLeadershopprogram(2000).Sheisapart-timelecturer(AdvertisingCreative)inTheSchoolofHumanitiesandCommunicationArtsatUWS,andabeefproducer,atimbergrower,awifeandmother.
02 NewsonBooksellingNovember2012
CEO’s report
Welcome to 2013!
Conference Ican’tbemoredelightedwithhow
planningisproceedingfortheABA’s89thConferenceandTradeExhibitioninAdelaide.ThethemeoftheConference,‘AGoodVintage’notonlyreflectsAdelaide’splaceontheworldstageasacentreforfinewineandfood,butthecentralongoingrolethatbookshopshave,notonlyinpreservingthequalitiesofthepast(ageingwell),butinreflectingmoderntechniquesandadjustingtothedemandsofthemarkets.
WehavejoinedforceswithLeadingEdgetodeliverajointTradeExhibition.WewillbeholdingourConferenceonSundayandMonday,16-17June,withLeadingEdgeholdingtheirConferenceonSaturday,15June.ThejointexhibitionwithbeonSundayafternoon.
JaneCaroprovidesaveryimportantstarttotheConferenceassheappliesherspecialsetofskillstothevexedquestionofhowbookshopssurviveandthriveduringthesevolatiletimesfortheindustry.
FormeradvisertoAlGore,DanielPink(To Sell is HumanandDrive)willdeliveravideoaddresswithafocusonhowsellinghaschangedinthe21stcentury,andhowbookshopscancapitaliseonthatchange.
Forthelastthreeyears,therepresentativesofkeyEnglishspeakingbooksellingassociations(ELBA)havemettoshareinformationthatmaybeusefultoourmemberships.ThisyearAdelaideisthevenue.IwillbejoiningOrenTeicher(AmericanBooksellers
AssociationCEO),TimGodfray(BooksellersUKandIreland)andLincolnGould(BooksellersNZ)todiscusswhatishappeninginthesecountries,andfindconstructiveideasthatmightbeputtouseinAustralia.
TheglobaldirectorofNielsenBookscan,JonathanNowell,willdiscussglobaltrendsinbookselling,withShaunSymondsbringingitbacktothelocal.Thisonlybeginstoscratchthesurfaceofthepanels,discussionsandseminarsaboutwaystoimprovesalesinyourbookshops.
TheAustralianCampusBooksellersAssociationwillalsobeholdingameetingduringtheConference.
Youmayseeacommonthreadrunningthroughallthis–bookshopsarepartofawidercommunity,anditiscrucialthatbooksellersofallshapes,sizesandorientationsworkoutwhattheyhaveincommon,andhowtheycanworkwithlocalbusinesses,librariesandevenotherbooksellerstoensuresurvivalandgrowth.
Staff changes and additions in the ABA office.
AttheendofJanuary,wefarewelledMemberServicesOfficerMichelleBansenwhohasdecidedtorejointhehurlyburlylifeofthe‘rep-on-the-road’(someofyoumightrecallthatrapidlyendangeredspecies–peoplewhocomeintobookshops–sometimescarryingactualbooks).WewishMichellewell,andthankherforhereffortsonbehalfofourmembers
Withanychange,itcanpresentanopportunitytolookatourstrengthsandweaknesses,andtoensureourmembersgetthebestvalueoutofbeingpartoftheABA.Someofyou
mayrememberTamaraSeldonTrusswhowillbe(re)joiningusasMemberServicesOfficer.TamarahadtherolewhenRobynHuppertwasonmaternityleavein2006-07,andhasworkedforseveralbookshopsintheMelbourneareaovertheyears.
WearealsodelightedtowelcomeSteveJonesinthenewlycreatedpositionofMarketing/ProjectOfficerfortheABA.Steveistheex-ManagerofKinokuniyainSydney.StevewillberesponsibleforpromotinganddevelopingbookshopinitiativesincludingIndieBoundandNationalBookshopDay,aswellasexpandingtheABA’sbookvoucherservicesandassistingwithseminarandinformation-basedprogramsduringtheyear.
Advocacy Incaseanyonehasnoticed,thisisan
electionyear(eveniftheFederalcampaignwillnotbeginuntilmid-August).Overthenextfewmonthswewillbediscussingkeyissuesaffectingthebooksellingindustry,andgivingyouadviceonhowyoucanbedeliveringthemessagetoyourlocalmembers.
I hope to see you all in Adelaide.
Joel Becker
03 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
President’s report
Anewyearisuponus,oneI’msurethatwillbefullofevenmorechange.WewillseethemergerofPenguinandRandomHouseinSeptember,whichI’msurewillbethefirstofmany.Whoelsewillweseemerge?Scharper)S&SandMacmillan)?Machette?(MacmillanandHachette)?Onlytimewilltell.
Christmaswasagainachallenge,notjustforbooksellersbutallretailers.Morepeoplearespendingtheirmoneyonlineandpredominantlywithoverseasretailers.WearebeginningtogetmoretractionwithboththeGovernmentandtheOppositionontheissueofGSTonimportsbutthingsaremovingveryslowly.Bookpricescontinuetofall,butnotacrosstheboardunfortunately,whichpresentsitownchallengesinmaintainingthebottomline.AnddigitalsalescontinuetogrowinbookswitheReadersandtabletsreportedtobethebigsellersoverChristmas.
AmazonisthestillthedominanteBookretailerintheAustralianmarketwithanestimated60-70%marketshare.Appleissecondwith15-20%.Kobocomesinthirdwith10-15%.Googlehavearound5%.TherestissharedbetweenReadCloud,Booki.sh,Bookuandothers.90%ofeBooksalesaregoingtooffshoreretailers.
InAustralia,eBooksareestimatedtorepresent10%ofbookssold.IntheUSitisalmost30%andstillrisinginbothmarkets.InsomegenreseBookssalesareover50%.Themajorityofthisisattheexpenseofprintbooksales.However,AustralianbookshopsstillaccountforthemajorityofbooksalesintheAustralianmarketbutaseBooksalescontinuetogrow,andprintbooksalescontract,fewerbookswillbesoldinAustralianbookshopsandtherewillconsequentlybelessbookshopsin
Australia.IfthenumberofbookshopscontractinAustraliathenumberofprintbookssoldinAustraliawillfallevenfurther.
Amazon,AppleandKoboarewinningthebattleforeBookmarketsharethroughtheirdevices.ItisestimatedthattheKindleaccountsfor75%ofeReadersinAustralia.TheiPadandiPhonearestillthedominanttabletandsmartphonedevicedespitethegrowthofAndroiddevices.KoboeReadersaremakinginroadswithmultipleretailerpartnersandastrongmarketingpushinthismarket.
WhileanyeBookretailercansellontotabletsandsmartphones,aswellasKoboeReaders,themajorityofuserspurchasefromthedefaulteBookproviderontheirdevice(iBooks,Kobo,Amazon).TheKindleAppisalsowidelyused,asKindlehasbecomethedefaulteReaderinconsumer’sminds.Non-AmazonretailerscannotsellontotheKindledevice,althoughitistechnicallypossibletotransfernon-DRMePubstoKindledevices.
TheeBookmarketisessentiallyadevicewar:Kindlevs.iPadvs.Kobo.Investingindevicesisextremelyexpensiveanddevicesarebeingsupersededevery12monthswhichmeansanyinvestmentinadevicemustberepeatedeveryyear.
Howeverabookshopdoeshaveitsowndevice:thephysicalbook,availableinavarietyofdifferentmodels:hardback,tradePaperback,mass-marketpaperback.IbelievebookshopsshouldusethisdevicetocompeteagainsteBookretailersandthewaytodothisistobundleprintbookswitheBooks.BeingabletobundleaneBookwithaprintbookwouldensurethatprintbooksremainarelevantformatandifthebundledeBookcouldbeintheformatofthecustomer’schoosing(Kindle,iBooksor
ePub)orDRM-freeitwouldcombatformatanddevicerestrictionsbothforconsumersandretailers.
IalsoreadafascinatingbookonsellingoversummercalledTo Sell isHumanbyDanielPink.Pinkarguesthateveryjobisfundamentallyaboutsales.Healsolooksathowsalesitselfhaschanged.InaworldwhereconsumersarearmedwithsmartphonesthatnotonlygivesthemmobileInternetbutalsoinstantsocialmediatherelationshipbetweenaconsumerandavendorhasfundamentallychanged.Avendornolongerhastheupperhandandmustadapttothisnewrelationship.
Ifoundthebookinvaluable.AsbooksellersweneedtolistentowhatcustomersaretellingusandIdon’tmeanverbally,Imeanbytheiractionswhichareprettyclearatthemoment.Wealsoneedtostaypositiveaboutourbusinessesandtheproductswesellandweneedtobemoreproactive.AtthemomentwearereactingtoeBooksandthegrowthofonlineshoppingandthereisanegativeperceptionaboutthefutureofbookshopsandprintedbooks.Weneedtofindwaysofgettingaheadofthecurve,likeNationalBookshopDay,ratherthanchasingthecurve.Noneofthiswillbeeasyandtherearenoguaranteesbutifyoufightthewrongbattlesyouinvariablylosethewar.
ItisfantasticthatwehavebeenabletopartnerwiththeLeadingEdgeBooksConference.Thiswillmeanthatnotonlywilltherebeabiggerbooksellerpresencebutalsoabiggerpublisherpresence.IhopetoseeasmanyofyouaspossibleinAdelaideinJune.
Jon Page
04 NewsonBooksellingMay201004 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
FRIDAY 14 JUNE
LEADING EDGE BOOKSWELCOME DINNER
SATURDAY 15 JUNE
LEADING EDGE BOOKS CONFERENCE(FULL DAY)
LEADING EDGE BOOKSGALA DINNER & INDEPENDENT BOOKSELLER’S AWARDS
SUNDAY 16 JUNE
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:JANE CARO
NIELSEN BOOKSCAN:INDUSTRY SALES TRENDS
2013 ABA & LEB TRADE EXHIBITION(2.5 HRS INCLUDING WORKING LUNCH)
BOOKSELLING: FROM GLOBAL TO LOCAL
VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY:2013 INDUSTRY FORUM
ABA AGM
CELEBRATING BOOKSELLINGGALA DINNER & AWARDS NIGHT
MONDAY 17 JUNE
TO SELL IS HUMANDANIEL PINK
COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS
ABA MEMBER FORUM:BENEFITS & SERVICES
ILF 2013: UPDATE
CHILDREN’S BOOKS:SELL MORE OF WHAT SELLS
MAXIMISING GENRE SALES
SHARING BEST PRACTISE
2013 ABA & LEB CONFERENCE PROGRAM SUMMARY
The Australian Booksellers
Association and Leading Edge
Books are proud to present
their annual Conferences at
the Hilton Adelaide on 14-15th
June (LEB) and 16-17th June
(ABA). A joint Trade Exhibition
will be held on Sunday June 16.
Information on ABA Conference speakers &
session topics will be updated regularly on the
NEW conference website:
ABACONFERENCE.ORG.AU
NEW
Andrea Hanke, editor-in-chief at Books+Publishing, spoke to Jane Caro in aniticipation of her keynote address.
You’redeliveringthekeynoteaddressattheAustralianBooksellersAssociationconferencetoaroomfullofbooksellers.Canyougiveusatasteofwhatyou’llbetalkingabout?
IwillwearmymarketingandadvertisinghattomakesomecommentsaboutthechangesinretailingandwhatIthinkwillremain(peoplewillstillbuybooksinbookshops)andwhatwillchange.
Ibelievetheannouncementofthedeathofthep-bookhasbeenverypremature.
Iwillalsotalkaboutmyownloveofbooks–bothasalifelongreaderandawriter–andwhytheirphysicalexistencecontinuestomattertome.
Ifyouwerehiredtorunanadvertisingcampaignforyourlocalbookstore,whatwoulditlooklike?
Sorry,youhavetopaymeforthatkindofprofessionaladvice,butIwouldemphasisethecustomerexperience–notjustaboutbuyinganymore,aboutrelaxing,browsing,discoveringandexploring.Yourexpertiseandabilitytorecommendandbroadenthecustomer’srepertoire–recognitionisimportanttoo–trytoturnasmanycustomersintoregularsasyoucan.Peopleareseekingwhattheycan’tgetontheinternet
Fromyourexperienceasasuccessfulwomaninbusinesswhohasalsoraisedafamilythroughsomeofyourbusiestyears,whatwouldyousayisthekeytojugglingvariousprojectsandmaintainingawork-lifebalance.
Beselfish,neverfeelguiltyandexpectyourpartnertodoasmuchasyoudo.Trustthatyourchildrenwillcopeandlearntobeindependent.ifmyexperienceisanyguide,itpaysoffinspadesinthelongrun.Couldn’tbeprouderofthetwoindependent,sensibleandresponsibleyoungwomenmydaughtershavebecome.
To read this article in full make sure you get issue 2 of Books + Publishing available early April.
Conference con’t
05 NewsonBooksellingNovember2012
JOINT ABA & LEB TRADE EXHIBITION WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY 16TH JUNE
06 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
Networking
Itisimportanttomeasasmallindependentbooksellerinanisolatedareatoattendconference.Tohearindustrynews,catchupwithotherbooksellersandmeetpublishinghouserepresentativesfacetoface.
BeingeighthoursfromSydneyandfivefromBrisbane,Inevergettoseearepsothisopportunityispriceless.Ialsomanagedtogetbettertermswithseveralpublisherswhichisofgreatbenefittomybusiness.
Gina, Wise Words Bookshop, NSW
...tomixwithpeoplewholovebooksmorethananythingelseintheworld.
Clayton, Boomerang Books,, SA
Togettoknow(publisher)accountmanagersthatrarelyhavetheopportunitytovisitourshopandfromthiswehaveevenbeenabletoorganiseauthorvisits.
Catherine, Fullers Bookshop, TAS
Knowledge
BooksellersareingeneralverygenerouswiththeirknowledgeandIsoenjoydiscussingdifferentaspectsofmybusinesswithmoreexperiencedcolleagues.ThisoftenhappensatthemoreinformalgatheringsatConference.
Gina
IattendConferencefirstandforemosttolearnaboutthebookindustry.It’sagreatplacetolearnabouthowbooksellersandpublisherswork;tolistenandunderstandthechallengesthattheindustryfaces.
It’sagreatplacetolistentosomeoftheeminentpeopleintheindustry-tospeakandrubshoulderswiththemandtolistentointernationallyacclaimedspeakersfrommarketsthataretypicallyaheadofourown
Clayton
Welearnalotofbetterwaysofdoingthings,industrytipsandcontactsthatwehadmissedouton,newsystemsthatcanhelpusinthedaytodayrunningofabusiness.
Weenjoymeetingwithauthors.It’ssobeneficialforustochattocustomersabouthavingheardanauthorspeak.Itputsabookintocontext,makesitmorepersonalandI’msureitimprovessales!
Sue and Kerry, Mary Who? Bookshop, QLD
Inspiration
Ihaveattendedinexcessof15ABAConferencesandIalwayscomeawaywithafreshperspectiveonwhatitisthatwedo.
Catherine
Itdoesustheworldofgoodtorememberwearepartofavibrantandinterestingindustry.Ilikethefactthatjustabouteveryoneinthebooktrade,especiallytheonesyoumeetatConference,ispassionateaboutit.Thisinspiresandreinvigoratesandreaffirmswhywedowhatwedo.
Sue and Kerry
Rechargingthebatteries
Conferencegivesusachancetohaveabreakfromtheshop-akindofholidayreally(thenatureofbeingowner/managersinsmallbusiness!).Weenjoycatchingupwithotherbooksellersandtalkingoverissueswehaveincommon.
Sue and Kerry
...agreatexcusetostayinanicehotel,haveafewdrinksandattendsomegreatdinners(don’ttellmywife,butit’sagreatopportunitytohaveashortbreakfrommytwotoddlers!).
Clayton
Why attend Conference?
Conference means we get to sit down for a few days and someone else cooks for us!
Sue and Kerry
07 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
RegistrationOptions Inclusions ABAMember NonMember
ABA-LEBFullPackage
(Fridaynight14JunetoMondayafternoon17June)
Friday-WelcomeDinner(LEB)
Saturday-breakfast,FullDayConferenceLEB,
Delegatesatchel,
LEBAwardsDinner
Sunday-accesstoallABAsessions
TradeExhibitionpass,ABAGalaDinner
Monday-accesstoallABAsessions
LEBMEMBERSONLY
EarlyBird
(upto4April)
$1180
Standard
(from5April)
$1320
LEBMEMBERSONLY
EarlyBird
(upto4April)
$1300
Standard
(from5April)
$1440
LEBFullPackage
(Fridaynight14JunetoSaturdaynight15June)
Friday-WelcomeDinnerLEB
Saturday-breakfast,FullDayConferenceLEB
Delegatesatchel
LEBAwardsDinner
LEBMEMBERSONLY
EarlyBird
(upto4April)
$550
Standard
(from5April)
$590LEBDayOnly
(Saturday15June)
Saturday-breakfast,FullDayConferenceLEB
DelegateSatchel
LEBMEMBERSONLY
$300ABAFullPackage
(Sunday16JunetoMonday17June)
Sunday-accesstoallABAsessions
Delegatesatchel
TradeExhibitionpass
ABAGalaDinner
Monday-accesstoallABAsessions
EarlyBird
(upto5April)
$630
Standard
(from4April)
$730
EarlyBird
(upto5April)
$750
Standard
(from4April)
$850
ABA-LEBDayOnly
(Sunday16June)
Sunday-accesstoallABAsessions
TradeExhibitionpass
$300 $35o
ABADayOnly
(Monday17June)
Monday-accesstoallABAsessions $300 $350
LEBDinnerOnly
(Friday14June)
Friday-dinneronly LEBMEMBERSONLY
$120LEBAwardsDinnerOnly
(Saturday15June)
Saturday-LEBAwardsDinnner LEBMEMBERSONLY
$170ABAGalaDinner
(Sunday16June)
Sunday-CelebratingBooksellingGalaDinner $140 $180
TradeExhibitionOnlyPass
(Sunday16June)
Sunday-accesstoTradeExhibitiononly $100 $120
Registration packages
*Pleasenote-allFullregistrationandDayOnlyregistrationpackagesincludemorningtea,lunchandafternoontea.
08 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
Ebooks2.0 Thetriple-digitgrowthofebooksales
hasfallenawaysharply.IntheleadingUSmarketit’snowinlowdoubledigits,andinAustraliathestoryissimilar.As2012ended,aquarterofonlineAustralianshadboughtanebook,thesamepercentageasinJanuarylastyearaccordingtoBowker’sGlobaleBookMonitoringSurvey.
Thisdramaticslowdownhaspromptedsomerelievedcries.“Loversofinkandpaper,takeheart.Reportsofthedeathoftheprintedbookmaybeexaggerated,”saidtheWallStreetJournalinresponsetothis.
Onereason,ofcourse,isthatit’smathematicallyimpossibletokeepgrowingatthesehighrates.Butwithjustaquarterofthepopulationreached,ebooksaretaperingoffsoonerthanotherconsumertechnology,suchasmobilephonesortheinternet.Andit’shappeningassalesoftabletsandsmartphonesaresurging.
Therealityoftheebookrevolutionisthatit’sstillmostlyaboutfiction.RandomHousedigitalheadJeffWeberrecentlytalkedabouthis“70-20-10”ruleforRH’sebooksales:70percentisadultfiction,20percentadultnonfiction,and10percentchildren’s&teen.
Withmajorfictiontitlesnowsellinghalformoreindigitalformats,themarketisindeedmaturing.Non-fictionworksandtextbooks,whichmakeupmostofthebookmarket,areyettomakeadigitalsplash.
EPUB3 and the struggle to save the (e)book
Theindustry’sanswertothisisEPUB3.Thenextversionoftoday’sEPUBebookformatpromisestobringus‘enhancedebooks’–digitaleditionsoftextbooks,illustratedtitlesandothercategoriesthatmissedthefirstebookwave.
Itshouldbeashoo-inafterthestellarperformanceofthecurrentversion.Butthere’saproblem.Almosttwoyearsafteritwassignedoff,prettymuch
no-oneisusingit.NomajordevicescanyetreadEPUB3files,andevene-readingappsofferlittleornosupport.
Thisslowuptakeisawake-upcalltopublishersontwofronts.First,itshowsagainhowlittlethebookindustrycontrolsitsowndestiny:EPUB3isatinypartofamuchbiggerecosystem.Thesecondproblemispotentiallymuchbigger.It’sthewebitself.
Aswemovetosmartmobiledeviceswithalways-oninternetaccess,andmassivecloudservicestostoreallourdataandmedia,thewebstartstolooklikeabetteroptiontodomanyofthethingsthatusedtobedoneoffline.
YetthemajorbenefitofEPUB3andtoday’sebooksisthattheybasicallywrapawebsiteintoasinglefilesothatitcanbedownloadedto‘own’anduseoffline.Toachievethis,theindustryneedsanewecosystem,fromdevelopersandtools,todevicesanddistribution.
Whenebooksweresimple,andaimedatsimpledeviceslikeblackandwhiteKindles(whosesalesarealsosliding),thiswasnotaproblem.ButEPUB3ismuchmorecomplexwhichcreatesahostofproblems.
Fornon-fictionandtextbooks,therearebigusabilityissuescomparedtotheweb.Forinstance,tousemultimediacontent,readersmustdownloadmassivefilesfullofvideotheymightneveruse,insteadofjuststreamingwhattheyneed,astheyneedit.Addinginteractivefeaturesopensthedoortobugs,virusesanddeviceincompatibility.Andebooksareclosedwhentheyneedtobeopen.Usersnowexpecttofollowandsharelivelinks,notdeadfootnotes,tokeepandshareannotations,andtodiscoverwhattheywantfromaGooglesearch.Self-contained,offlineebooksmakethesethingstoughtoachieve.
Finally,thereareproductionproblems.Filesneedtobetestedandtunedfordozensofdevicesandappsinsteadofjusttwoorthreemajorwebbrowsers.Toolsarepoor,andtalentishardtoattractandretaincomparedtobetter-paidwebdevelopment.
Someinsiders,anddigital-savvyoutsiderseyingtheindustry,arenowopenlyaskingthequestion:woulditbebetterifbookpublishingfullyembracestheweb,ratherthanthewebbendingtoaccommodate‘books’asaspecialcategory?
New competition for ebooks and talent
Don’texpecttheebooktofadeawayanytimesoon.Formanyusesitwillbeperfectlyfineforawhileyet.AndAmazon,ofcourse,ispushingitsownversionofEPUB3calledKF8,thoughitsuffersfrommanyofthesamechallenges.
Movesarealsoafoottobringtheebookitselfclosertotheweb.Oneofthesedevelopments,calledReadium,isbackedbythesameindustrygroupthatdevelopedEPUB3.ItletswebbrowsersreadthenewEPUB3ebookfiles.AndaSiliconValleystart-upcalledInklinghasdevelopedasystemthatgivespublishersabobeachwayonthistug-of-warbattle,treatingbooksassoftwarethatcanliveontheweborinvariousbookformats.ItsearlyusersareaWho’sWhoofthetextbookandnon-fictiontradebookmarkets.
Butinthemovefromsimple,‘linear’novels–Ebooks1.0ifyoulike–toenhancedebooksforinformationandlearning,ebooksasweknowthemmaybeashort-livedinterlude.
Goodalternativestoebooksareemergingwhichfullyembracethewebandcansolvethesamereaderneeds.Inmanycases,theyofferauthorstheprospectofabetterlivingthantoday’spublisherdeals.Twoexamplesaree-learningandso-calledmembershipsites.Asnon-fictionebooksmigratetotheweb,manyofthemarelikelytolookmorelikethesethantraditionalebooks.
E-learningisundergoingitsowntransformation,similartotheebookexplosionfiveyearsago.Forthepastdecadeandmore,ithasbeentheprovinceofdullcorporatetrainingandnicheacademiccourses.That’schangingdramaticallyase-learninggetsaconsumermakeover.
Digital report
09 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
AnewwaveofcompanieslikeSkillshare.comandpioneerLynda.comofferinexpensiveonlinecoursesthatfillmanyofthesameneedsasnon-fictionbooksoncedid,oftenwithauthorsamongthecoursedevelopers.Thecoursespresenttext,audio,video,andinteractiveelementslikequizzes–thesamethingsEPUB3promises–oftenwithsocialconnectionstootherstudentswhichebooksdon’tdowell,or‘allyoucaneat’accesstocourses.
Inpubliceducation,MOOCs(massiveopenonlinecourses)arenowbringingtheworld’sbestteachersfreeintohomesaswellasschoolsanduniversities.SiteslikeCoursera,EdXandUdacityaredrivingthis,manyofthembackedbytop-tieruniversities.Apple’siTunesU,innovativestart-upslikeKahnAcademy,andtheswellingopencontentmovement,areopeningupamassofhigh-quality,freecoursematerialtoschoolsandconsumers.
Membershipsites.Forgetcomplaintsfromtraditionalmedialikenewspapersandmagazines:peoplearealreadypayingforalotofcontentonline.So-calledmembershipsitesareleadingtheway.Thesesitesoftenhavetheirgenesisinblogsandenthusiastsites.Theyofferpaidaccesstopremiumcontentandservices,continuousupdates,applicationslikemenu-planningandfitness-tracking,andaccesstocommunitiesoflike-mindedpeople.Forauthorsandnichepublishers,theyoffertheprospectofbuildingafollowingandcontinuingincomefromfans,notjustaone-offsale.
What publishers can do to help booksellers – and themselves
Theturbulenceofthepastfewyearsmaybejustbeginninganew,astheebookitselffaceschallenges.Thismightsoundgrim,but‘traditional’publishersneedbooksellerstothriveandthere’splentytheycandotoensureithappensandtoreducethe‘leakage’ofgreatcontentfromthebookworld.Herearetwosuggestions.
First,theycandomoretowinandretaintalentedauthorssotheyactuallywanttodobookswhentheirchoicesareexpanding.Thiscertainlymeansgivingthemabiggersliceofthepie,butithastogowellbeyondthis.
Publishershavetoactivelyseekmorewaysthanjustbookroyaltiestohelpauthorsearnalivingfromtheirwork.Insomecasesitwillmeanpublishersofferdigitaloptionsbeyondebooks.Butincreasingly,we’llseepublisherstakingjustprintiftheycan’tadequatelyexploitdigitalrights,insteadofdemandingtoday’sall-or-nothingdeals.Latelastyear,SimonandSchusterdidjustthiswithauthorHughHowey,anearlysignthatthisshiftisbeginning.
Afocusbackonprintwillhelprealigntheinterestsofpublishersandbooksellerstothebenefitofboth.Andremovingdigitaldemandsandconflictswillhelppublisherspitchbookideastothenewdigital-firstpublishersanddigital-savvyauthors.That’sawinforpublishers,booksellersandcreators.
Secondly,publishersshouldencouragearobustprint-on-demandmarketplace,onethatmovesbeyondtoday’sjust-in-timerestockingoftheirownwarehousesandgivesbooksellers moredirectcontrol.Thishasthepotentialtoopenthevibrantbooksellerchanneltobothnichebooksfrommainstreampublishers,andtothenewbreedofdigitalpublisherswithoutprintforerunnerofthistypeofservice.EspressNetacquiresPODfilesandrights,thendistributesthemthroughitsnetworkofindependentprintshops.It’sbeginningtowinsomelargepublishersandbuildamorecommercially-valuablecataloguethantheself-publishedandpublicdomainworksthatdominateditsearlyefforts.
Noneofthiswillbringprintedbooksbacktotheirmass-merchandisingheyday.Butinitiativeslikethesecanhelpnavigateturbulenttimes,feedingavibrantretailchannelwithinterestingbookschosenbyknowledgeablebooksellers.
Distribution and sales operations.
Abooksellershouldbeabletoquicklystockaprinteditionofahotdigital-firsttitle,orcompetewithBookDepositorytooffermosttraditionally-publishedtitles,withbetterservice.Digitalprintingisnowgoodenoughforallbutthefussiestcoffeetablebooksandprintedbookdesignwillitselfevolvetofitintothisdigital-drivenworld.
AchievingthisneedsawillingnessfrompublisherstolicensePODrightsformosttitles,eventhosestillinprint,onaroyaltybasisdirectlytobooksellersorspecialistintermediaries.TheEspressoBookMachine’sEspressNetmightbeaforerunnerofthistypeofservice.EspressNetacquiresPODfilesandrights,thendistributesthemthroughitsnetworkofindependentprintshops.It’sbeginningtowinsomelargepublishersandbuildamorecommercially-valuablecataloguethantheself-publishedandpublicdomainworksthatdominateditsearlyefforts.
Noneofthiswillbringprintedbooksbacktotheirmass-merchandisingheyday.Butinitiativeslikethesecanhelpnavigateturbulenttimes,feedingavibrantretailchannelwithinterestingbookschosenbyknowledgeablebooksellers.
Martin Taylorblog: activitypress.com/ereporttwitter: @nztaylor
publishers need booksellers to thrive and there’s plenty they can do to ensure it happens
010 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
ForthosewhoIhavenotmetoverthelast17yearspleaseletmeintroducemyself–MynameisSteve,andIhavejustjoinedtheABAastheMarketingOfficer.
Previously,ImanagedtheenormousKinokuniyaBookstore,inSydney’sCBDforjustoverfiveyears.Thesuccessofthestoreinvolveditsfocusonbothnichemarkets,andtargetingthelocalcommunitywithmarketinginitiatives.
AfterleavingthestoreIspenttimeasaconsultantforvariouspublishersandretailers,focusingonlocalandintuitivemarketingstrategies-withnewdigitalandtraditionalmarketingtools.Mysuccessinbusinessandmarketinghasrootsinmybeliefthatbookstoresareanaturalpartofanygoodcommunity.
IamextremelyexcitedaboutmynewpositionwithintheABAbecauseofmyfaithinbothbookstores,andtheunifyingrelationshipsbooksellershavewitheachother.Nootherindustrycommunicatessowellwitheachother–whetheritisoveraglassofwineoratanauthordinner–wehavealwaysbeenkeentosharebothnegativeandpositiveexperiencesatthecoalfaceofbookselling.
MynewroleisinitsinfancyandwillmovewiththeneedsofthemembersoftheABA,andtheCommitteeofManagement.Anyinputwillbewelcomedthroughyourusualchannels,orcontactmedirectly.
AtthisstageIwillberesponsibleforincreasingawarenessandsalesofABABookVouchers,NationalBookshopDay,andIndieBound.ThereareafewotherprojectsthatIwillbeworkingon,andI
amsureJoelortheCommitteewillbegivingmeafewmore!
ABABookVouchersbenefitallmembersbyofferingacentralisedorganisationsellingvoucherstocorporate,school,andplainprivatecustomersnationally-withoutbeinglimitedtoachain,orshoppingcentre-promotingourmembersequally.TheABAsellstensofthousandsofvouchers,worthhundredsofthousandsofdollarsperyear.IfyouarenotalreadyacceptingABAvouchersyoucanbetacompetitordoes.BookVouchersareafantasticwayofgainingnewbusinesstoyourshop.TheABA’shopestoincreasesalesandthuspromotebookstorestotraditionalandnon-traditionalcustomers.
Iwillalsobeco-ordinatingthealreadyfantasticNationalBookshopDay.Whilemostbookstoreshavebeenpromoting-throughtheirownmediaoutlets-theirownbookshop,Iwillbeorganisingthingsfromanationalperspective.IfyouneedsomehelpwithnewideasandtemplatestoenhanceyourofferIwillbetheretosupportyou.IalreadyhavesomeideasbutamnaturallykeentohaveinputfromtheABAmembers.
MygoalforIndieboundistohaveatwelvemonthmarketingcalendarthathighlightingthe‘whyshoppinglocal’isimportanttoyourcommunity.Andalsohelpbooksellersgetthemostoutthescheme–whileexpandingonthefantasticworkourpartnersoverseashavedone.
Alltheseinitiativesneedtobecommunicatedtoyourcustomersthroughnewandtraditional
marketinginitiatives.NationalBookshopDayandIndieBoundneedtohaveapresenceviasocialmediacontinuously,andassuchIwillneedinformationfrombookstoreshighlightingyoureventsandlocalactivity–althoughIwillcontinuemonitoringyourownmarketingonline.Whilethenew,andsometimesfree,newdigitalmediumscanbesuccessful,youcannotforgetaboutthetraditionalprintandface-to-facemediumofmarketing.Thecombinationofthetwocanmeanthesuccessofaneventorcampaign.Marketingisnotonedimensional,butthenagainneitherisbookselling.
Steve [email protected]
Marketing ideas
011 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
ILF report
Thankyouforyourgeneroussupportin2012–especiallyinlightoftheextremelychallengingmarketandchangesthattookplaceoverthepast12months.
Wearedelightedtoannounceouryear-endfundraisingresults:$768,000,anextraordinaryresultthatwasonlymadepossiblebyanenormousdonationfromtheVictorianIndependentBooksellersNetwork(IBN)attheendoftheyear.
IanHortonofFarrell’sBookshoprangourofficelateDecembertosaythatIBN’sdonationof$48,000(surplusfundswhenIBNdisbanded),wasmadepossiblethroughthecollectiveeffortsofmanydedicatedindependentVictorianbooksellers.HesaidthatIBNmemberswantedto“givebacktothecommunityandpromoteliteracyandreading”.
Inadditiontothisgenerousdonation,manybookshopsranindependentfundraisersthroughouttheyear,tookourDonationboxesfortheircountersandlaunchevents,anddonatedtheproceedsfromtheirparticipationinIndigenousLiteracyDay.
In2012wedeliveredjustover18,000bookstomorethan180remotecommunitiesandserviceorganisationsacrossAustralia.WewereabletoconsolidateourdeliveryofbookssothatourliteracypacksweresentthroughaveryeffectivecentralisedbuyingandsupplysystematWoodslanePublishing.
ThroughourpartnershipswepublishedanewversionofReadingWithChildren;twobookspublishedinPaakjantjiandEnglishwithsponsorshipfromCALforWilcannia/MenindeecommunitiescalledNoTharltaontheBusandLenny&theBigRedMalka;andsponsoredthepublicationof18newbooksinsixlanguagesforCentralAustraliaAboriginalcommunitiesintheHoneyAntReadersseries.ThiswasachievedwithsponsorshipoftheMaryMackillopFoundation.
“This is a fantastic initiative and allows us to have books to give away to vulnerable families, as well as reading that is culturally informative and sensitive, to develop the literacy skills of kids in care (all of whom are Aboriginal) & those we provide family support to. Thank you ILF!” Mel Kean, Early Childhood Coordinator, Tangentyere Council, NT.
2013: Looking forward Thisyeartherearemanyexciting
changesandchallengesahead.Firstly,wearepleasedtoannounceNickBowditch,HeadofMarketing&SalesatGoogle,joinsourBoard.Nickbringsawealthofknowledgeandexpertisetoassistthefuturedevelopmentofourprogramsandfundraising.
TinaRaye,ournewProgramManager,hasmovedfromDarwintoworkatheadofficeinSydney.Inashortspaceoftime,TinahasdevelopedtheIDREAMprojectwithEducationQLD,isworkingonanewearlyliteracykitforBookBuzzandhaswrittenTeacher’sresources(inlinewiththenewNationalCurriculum)forthe2013SchoolKit.TinawilltravelouttoBrokenHillandWarburtoninWAoverthenext6weeksandwillbegivingregularupdatesonwhat’shappeningincommunitiesandwithbooksupply.
Over80newbookshavebeenselectedforthe2013literacykitsthatwillbegiftedtoourremotecommunitiesandserviceorganisationsacrossAustralia.Again,thishasbeenmadepossiblebyacommitteeheadedupbyDebraDankourCulturalAmbassadorandTinaRayetogetherwithRobynHuppert(ABA)andLynndyBennett(Gleebooks)whoreviewedhundredsandhundredsofbooks.ThisyearweareenormouslyluckytohavethesupportofUBDandanewcentraliseddistributionsystem.
NationalINDIGENOUSLITERACYDAYisonWednesday4Septemberthisyear.Thisisourmajorfundraisingeventfortheyear.Weinvitealloursupporters-individuals,schoolsandbusinesses,bigandsmallalike,toregisterwithus
AmbassadorAndyGriffithssays:“Teachingachildtoenjoybooksiseducatingagenerationahead.”Withyourhelp,we’relookingaheadtofuturegenerationsandthedoorsthatbooksandreadingwillopenforthem!
Karen WilliamsExecutive Director
012 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
Retail Leasing
Thebiggestmistakethatismadewhenenteringintoaretailleaseisthatpeopledon’tknowtherightquestionstoaskorknowwhattheyaregettinginto.Thisarticleisdesignedtoassistwithgeneralquestionstohelpyouavoidexpensivemisunderstandingsthatcostyouandyourbusinessmoney.Leaseagreementsarenotacaseof“onesizefitsall”.Theyarenegotiableandbeforeyousignanythingyoushouldbeawareofallconditionsrelevanttoyouragreement.
Seekprofessionaladvicebeforeyousignanything,acceptkeysorpaybondmoneyanddon’tmakeanypromises.
Pre Lease
Beforeyouevengettotheleasestagethereareanumberofthingstoconsider
1. Doyourmarketresearch–whatistheaveragemarketrentforretailspaceintheareaIamlookingat?
2. Whattypesofrentarebeingcharged–simpleannualrentoracombinationofannualplusacomponentofyourturnover?
3. Whatiscurrentlyhappeningwithrentreviews–arelandlordsusingCPI,marketreview,afixedpercentageoracombination?
4. Whatkindrentreviewwouldbebestformybusiness–knowingtheamountordoIhavethefinancialflexibilitytobevariable?
5. Dosomelandlordsofferincentivessuchasarent-freeperiodsothatyoucanfitoutthepremises,orperhapstheyareevencontributingtothefitout?
6. Whatisthecurrentvacancyrateintheareaanddoesthislandlordhaveaparticularlyhighorlowvacancyrate?
7. Lookatyourbusinessplan–whatdoesittellyouabouttherightlocation,dothepremisesmeetyourrequirementsreparking,foottrafficandgrowth?
8. WhatcanIafford?Rentisonlyoneaspectofthecostsunderalease.Don’tforgettelephone,electricityifseparatelymetered,cleaningcostsandsoon?
9. DoIneedlicensesorpermits?
10. DoesthespacesuitmybusinessandcanIuseitformyintendedpurpose?Isitfittoworkinforyouandfutureemployees?
11. Arethereanyzoningrequirements?
12. DoIneedtoalterthelayoutofthespaceintermsofwiring,plumbing?
What is a lease?
Aleaseisalegallybindingcontractbetweenyouandthelandlordwhichholdsbothpartiestoitstermsandconditions.Itallowsyoutooccupyshop/premisesandshouldtellyouabout:
• Thespace-bydescribingit(obtainaplanshowingthespace)
• Yourrights,obligationandliabilities
• Yourlandlord’srights,obligationandliabilities
• Conditionsthatapplytoyouruseofthespace(rent,othercosts,inwhatconditionyoumustleavethespacewhenyouvacate)
Inmostinstancesaleasestartswhenboththelandlordandtenantsignthedocument.However,legislationrecognisesthataleasemaystart
beforethistimesuchaswhenyoutakepossessionofthepremisesbeforetheleaseissigned,orwhenthelandlordofferstorentyouspaceinwritingandyouacceptthetermsandstartpayingrent.Itissoimportanttodoyourhomeworkasthisisconsideredalegallybindingagreement.Cancellingortryingtogetoutofthatleasewillincurconsiderablecosts.
Inmostinstancesyourleasewillbesubjecttolegislationwhichappliesspecificallytoretailleases.Thislegislationvariesfromstatetostate,butinallinstancesprovidesthatbeforesigningthelease,thelandlordmustprovideadisclosurestatementwhichdetailsimportantaspectsofthelease.Thisdocumentensurestransparencyandproperdisclosureofallthefacts.Aprospectivetenantshouldensurethatitsmainfeaturesareacceptable.Itisimperativethatalldetails,promises,representationsareincluded.Theseincludebutarenotlimitedto:
• Thetermoftheleaseandoptionstorenew
• Rentandthebasisofrentalreviews,andhowitistobedetermined
• Thedatesofexerciseofanyoptiontorenewandassociatedrentincreases
• Outgoingsorsharedoperatingexpenses(ensureyouknowexactlywhattheseare–councilrates,water,air-conditioning,repairsandmaintenance.Findoutwhatyouareresponsibleforbeforehandandwhatthelandlordwillcover)
• Thepermitteduseofthespaceandwhetheryouhavetoseekpermissionfromthelandlordtomakechanges.
013 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
Theremediesavailableifthelandlordfailstosupplyadisclosurestatementorifanyoftherepresentationscontainedinadisclosurestatementaremisleadingwillvaryfromstatetostate.However,atenantmaybeentitledtoterminatealeaseorrecoverdamages.Itisinyourbestinterestthatasmuchasdetailaspossibleisincludedasthisiswhatyouwillreferbacktowhenitcomestodisagreementsandrenewingyourlease.
Thenatleast7daysbeforealeaseisenteredintothelandlordmustprovideaprospectivetenantwithacompletedproposedleaseinwritingandyoushouldalwaysgetasolicitortoreviewitandmakesureitisbalancedandfair,asonceitissignedbyyouandyourlandlorditisusuallybindingonbothofyou.
Aleaseisthebeginningofarelationshipsoifitisdifficulttodealwiththelandlordatthebeginning,listentoyourwarningbellsasitmaybeanindicatorofhowfuturedealingwillprogressduringthetermofthelease.Talktoothertenantsandseehowtheygetalongwiththelandlord.Ifyouareconcernedatthisstagethentalktoyoursolicitor,smallbusinessassociationorfairtradingoffice.Onlywhenyouarecomfortablewiththeleasedoyousignit.
Inordertoensurethatyourrightsasatenantareprotected,alandlordshouldalsobeaskedtoprovidewrittenconfirmationthatanymortgageeofthepremiseshasgivenitsconsenttoyourlease.
Issuescanarisewhenitcomestimetoreneworrenegotiateyourlease.Ifyouhaveanoptiontorenewyourleaseforafurtherterm,youmustfollowtheproceduresandtimeframesassetoutinyourleasecarefullyoryouwilllose
therightsgiventoyoubythelease.Ifyouhavenotcompliedwithyourleaseobligations–payingrentontimeandsuchyoumaynotbeabletorenewit.Checkthewordingofyouroptionclauseandcheckwithyoursolicitorifyouhaveanydoubts.
If you want to stay where you are and you don’t have an option to renew it is never too early to start renewal negotiations. Leaving it to the last minute may mean you find yourself with less bargaining power. If your landlord is willing to grant you a new lease, remember that it is just that – a new lease. You do not need to agree on the same terms and conditions that applied previously.
Now is your chance to fix any issues or complications that you have experienced during the original lease. What did or didn’t work for you? Has your business changed and does this require a change to the document. Remember to have done some research of current market rates, terms for other shops in the area and so on to be in a better negotiating position.
Ifthereareproblemsthatcannotberesolved,thereareservicesthatareintendedtosaveyoutheexpenseofgoingtocourtandtohelpyouresolveadisputereasonablyquickly.Thesevaryfromstatetostateandinsomeinstancestheymayalsoincludemediationasafirststep.
Mediationisstartedbylodgingaspecialform.Yourlocalretailtenancyoffice,retailbusinessassociationorfairtradingofficecantellyouabouttheprocessandifthereareanyfeesinvolved.Amediatorwillinvitethepartiestooutlinetheirproblems.Thispersonisnotajudge,theirroleistohelpyouandyourlandlordbetterunderstandthesituationandconsiderifyouwanttocometoanagreement.Ifyoubothreachanagreementyoubothhavetosignamediationagreementoraformofcontractwhichisbindingonbothparties.
Ifmediationdoesnotwork,dependingonwhereyouliveyoumightbeabletotakeittoatribunalorcourtdependingonthesizeandissuesunderdispute.Thetribunalswerecreatedasspecialistbodiesdesignedtogiveaquickerandcheaperoutcomethanthecourts.ContacttheSmallBusinessCommissionerinyourstateformoreinformationandguidelinesonhowtoproceedwithdisputeresolution.
Please see page 14 for a list of leasing and mediation resources by state and territory
Information in this article has been provided by Jennifer Huppert, a solicitor with Herbert Geer Lawyers
014 NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
Australian Capital Territory
Legislation TheLeases (Commercial and Retail) Act 2001 isavailableonline
fromtheACTLegislationRegisteratwww.legislation.act.gov.au.
InformationisavailableattheOfficeofRegulatoryservicesathttp://www.ors.act.gov.auor(02)62073000
Dispute Resolution TheMagistratesCourthasjurisdictiontodecideapplications
madeundertheActathttp://www.courts.act.gov.au/magistrates/or(02)62071709
New South Wales
Legislation Retail Leases Act 1994isavailableonlinefromtheNSW
Legislationwebsiteawww.legislation.nsw.gov.au.TheActisalsoavailablefromtheRetailTenancyUnitwebsiteatwww.retail.nsw.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromtheOfficeoftheNSWSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.auor1300795534.
Mediation services OfficeoftheNSWSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.
smallbusiness.nsw.gov..auor1300795534.
The Retail Tenancy Unit Dispute Resolution Kit
Thiskithasinformationaboutpreventingandresolvingdisputes.Emailwe.assist@smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au
Northern Territory
Legislation TheBusinessTenancies(FairDealings)Act2009isavailable
onlinefromtheNorthernTerritoryLegislationDatabaseatwww.nt.gov.au/dcm/legislation.InformationisavailablefromtheOfficeofConsumerAffairswebsiteatwww.nt.gov.au/justice/consaffairsor1800019319
Mediation services TheOfficeofConsumerAffairswebsiteatwww.nt.gov.au/
justice/consaffairsor1800019319
Queensland
Legislation TheRetailShopLeasesAct1994isavailableonlineatwww.
legislation/qld.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromtheRetailShopLeasesRegistryatwww.justice.qld.gov.auor1800807051.
Mediation services QueenslandCivilandAdministrativeTribunal
www.qcat.qld.gov.auor1300753228
South Australia
Legislation CopiesoftheRetail and Commercial Leases Act 1995are
availableonlineatwww.legislation.sa.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromConsumerandBusinessAffairsatwww.ocba.sa.gov.au/tenanciesor131882ortheOfficeoftheSouthAustralianSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.sasbc.sa.gov.auor(08)83032026.
Mediation Service TheSouthAustralianSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.
sasbc.sa.gov.auor(08)83032026.
Tasmania
Legislation TheFair Trading (Cod of Practice for Retail Tenancies)
Regulations 1998isavailablefromtheTasmanianLegislationDatabasewebsiteatwww.thelaws.tas.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromConsumerAffairsandFairTradingatwww.consumer.tas.gov.auor1300654499.
Mediationservices
ConsumerAffairsandFairTradingatwww.consumer.tas.gov.auor1300654499.
Victoria
Legislation TheRetail Leases Act 2003isavailablefromtheVictorian
LegislationDatabasewebsiteatwww.legislation.vic.gov.au.InformationisavailablefromtheOfficeofVictorianSmallBusinessCommissioneratwww.sbc.gov.auor(03)96519316.
Mediationservices
OfficeoftheVictorianSmallBusinessCommissioner
www.sbc.vic.gov.au
Ph:(03)96519316
Retail Leasing resources
015NewsonBooksellingMarch2013
ABA news
New ABA MembersWe welcome the following new members
Bookshop Members
ArmyofNerds,EnmoreNSW
AussieBooks,EmeraldBeachNSW
BookBonding,GisborneVICP
CrickhollowBooks,DingleyVIC
PagesPlus,KeilorDownsStrangerThanFictionBooks,BrookvaleNSW
Associate Supplier Members
AskAliceStationer,KensingtonVIC
BoolarongPress,SalisburyQLD
Puncher&Wattman,Glebe
SmudgePublishing,PrahranVIC
Key dates for 2013 ABIAs: 24 May
ABA Conference & Trade Exhibition: 16 - 17 June
National Bookshop Day: 10 August
Children’s Book Week: 17- 23 August
Indigenous Literacy Day: 4 September
Member Services Officer WewelcomebackTamaraSeldonTrusstothepositionofABAMemberServicesOfficer.Tamaraheldthispositionatthe
ABAfrom2006-2007whileRobynHupperttookmaternityleave(ohmy,arethosetwinsreally6already!)andislookingforwardtogettingtoknowthemanynewmemberswhohavejoinedtheABAoverthelastfewyearsaswellasreacquaintingherselfwithmanyfamiliarnames.
ABA Membership renewals due 1 April
MembershipoftheAustralianBooksellersAssociationgivesyouaccesstomanydifferentproductsandservicesthatwillsaveyoumoney,helptokeepyouinformed,andensureyoucanrunyourbooksellingbusinessmoreeffectively.
Business discounts MoneysavingschemeswithAustraliaPost,
OampsBusinessInsurance,CBAEFTPOSandBSIInternationalFreightConsolidation.
Advocacy TheABArepresentsanindustryvoiceindealing
withGovernmentandotherinstitutionsonissueswhichaffectyou.
Education TheABAAnnualConference&TradeExhibition
seminarsandstate-basedgroupsprovideanopportunitytoexpandyourprofessionalknowledgeandmeetwithpeersfromacrossthebookindustry.
Information Weeklye-newsonbooksellingandthequarterly
NewsonBooksellingarejam-packedwithindustrynewsandpracticalbusinessadvice.
Marketing Marketingopportunitiesandsupporttohelp
drivesaleswithNationalBookshopDay,IndieBoundandtheKids’ReadingGuide
ForinformationonanyoftheABAmemberbenefitschemesorgeneralinformationregardingmembershippleaseemailTamaraatmemberservices@aba.org.au.
WhatmakesDymocks234CollinsStreettick?Whatareourstrengthsandhowweareableto‘movewiththetimes’?ThesearethequestionstheABAaskedmetoanswerandIdulydelegatedthetaskofansweringthemtoourwonderfulChildren’sSpecialist,CareerBookseller,EmmaLesliewhohasworkedforthreeDymocksstoresoverthelasttwentyyearsandcertainlyknowsathingortwoaboutbookselling.Heranswerhascertainlymademerealisethatwhatreallymakesustickisourpeopleandourgoodoldfashionedapproachtosellingrealbooks…
Dymocks234CollinsStreetisafamily-ownedfranchiseinthisbasementlocationsince2001.Avastandimpressive1200sqm,especiallywhenviewedfromthetopoftheescalator!
OverthepastcoupleofyearswiththedemiseoftheREDgroup,wehavewelcomed1000sofnewcustomerslamentingthedeclineofbookstores.Iliketothinktheyhavefoundnewsanctuaryinwhichtobrowse,exploreandTOUCHanincrediblerangeofbooksandothergorgeousproducts.
Thisisadynamicenvironmentwithover35regularstaffmembers.InadditiontothecorerangeoftitlesthatallDymocksstorescarry,wehavesevenstaffwhoworkoutontheshopfloorwhoalsoselectbooks,DVD,CDs,toys,games,stationeryandaneclecticcollectionofgiftythingstomeetourparticularneeds.
Thereisno“cookie-cutter”or“BlackBooks”approachtocustomerservicehere.Customersaresuretofindakindredspiritintheirpreferredliterary
genre.Ourstaffarepassionateaboutreadingandrecommendingtitlesandlovetotakethetimetotryandfindtheperfecttitletosuiteveryreader.Oftenthefirstapproachistomatchthecustomerwiththebooksellerbestequippedtoassistandmanyfirmfriendshipshavedeveloped.Ourshelvesarealsopunctuatedbyshelftalkerssothatshopperscankeepabreastofwhatwehavebeenreading.Hand-sellingisahugepartofourbusinessandtheregularordersofbacklisttitlesdemonstratethepoweroftheshelftalkersandthepersonalapproachwetake.
WhentheidealbookcannotbefoundupontheshelfwearehappytoordertitlesfrombothAustralianandoverseassuppliers.OurOrders&Informationcountersetsusapartfrommostofourcompetitors.From9amonthedotthephoneringshotwithrequestsfromthereadingpublic.Wesendoutmonthlynewsletterstoschoolsfeaturingnewreleasesandstaffreviewsandenjoyasteadyflowofcorporateandschoolorders.
Bookshop profile
NewsonBooksellingEditorRobynHuppertAdvertisingenquiriesRobynHuppertEmailmail@aba.org.auEntirecontentcopyright©AustralianBooksellersAssociation
DisclaimerAdvertisingandinsertsinNewsonBooksellingarepaidforbytheadvertisers.TheirinclusiondoesnotimplyendorsementoftheseproductsorservicesbytheAustralianBooksellersAssociation
AustralianBooksellersAssociationIncorporatedinVictoria,ABN56365379358,Unit9,828HighStreetKewEastVictoria3102Telephone0398597322Emailmail@aba.org.auwww.aba.org.au
FormanyyearsnowwehaverunanenormouslypopularcalendarofChildrens’events.WehaveenjoyedsharingthecrazyanticsofMaisyandSpotamongothers(Maryinthesweatysuits!).WehavehadsomefantasticturnoutstoauthoreventsfeaturingLaurenKate,RachelCaineandMaggieStievatertonameafew,andourlastfewyearshavebeenpunctuatedwithvisitsfromthedelightfulandlocalAndyGriffiths,FavelParrettandSallyRippin.OurcaféareaisidealforintimateeventsbutwehavealsohostedwonderfuloffsiteeventswithMichaelPalin,DerekLandy,MichaelConnelly,MaggieBeer….Icouldgoonandon!
OneofthemostthrillingaspectsoftheDymocks234experienceinthepasttwoyearshasbeenourinvolvementwiththeMelbourneWritersFestival.ThisisaprivilegeANDtaskofepicproportion.Ouron-sitestorespeciallyerectedintheFederationSquareishometoworksbyallthefeaturedauthors,meticulouslychosen,displayedandrearrangedtosuittheeventsoverthe10days.
TheprintedwordisNOT,byanystretchoftheimagination,dead….andbookstores,particularlyours,intheheartofMelbourne’sCBDarealiveandkicking.
Melissa Traverso and Emma LeslieDymocks 234 Colliins St, Melbourne
Dymocks234CollinsStreet