Discount department store, Big W, is keeping pace with the growth in e-books with the launch of a new website enabling customers to download titles to mobile devices.

Scott White, Big W head of books, says the retailer’s e-books website, ebooks.bigw.com.au, has been designed specifically for Australian customers.

“The e-books market in Australia is dominated by overseas-based companies focused on overseas customers,” says White.

“Big W e-books is different – we are an Australian retailer with a focus on the books Australians love, with downloads at Australia’s lowest prices.”

In the last year, 67 per cent of e-book readers have downloaded a crime novel or thriller, followed by 61 per cent who have downloaded contemporary fiction. Around 41 per cent of people have read an adult fiction e-book, such as Fifty Shades of Grey.

The number of women downloading digital books has grown by 57 per cent in the past year, beating the growth in downloads from men.

Women are also the most avid readers, with 43 per cent downloading more than 10 e-books over the last 12 months, compared to only 33 per cent of men.

“Our research also showed 58 per cent of customers welcome the option of low cost or free downloads, so at Big W we will have a constantly changing selection of e-books for as little as 99c, with several hundred titles available free of charge.

“Many Australians could be forgiven for thinking they are locked into just one provider when downloading e-books, but that’s not the case and they could be spending more than they have to.

“We offer low cost downloads on almost any device,” said White.