Dymocks predicts strong Christmas

Dymocks christmas2Book retailer, Dymocks, is tipping 2015 to be the biggest Christmas for books in five years based on its sales this week.

This week’s sales are up 12 per cent on the same time last year as booklovers stock up early for Christmas. Dymocks has reported an average sales growth of 4.8 per cent during this period, with a combined increase of over 25 per cent compared to 2010, based on like for like sales in the last week of October over the last five years.

Dubbed ‘Super October’, this month is the biggest in the publishing calendar when major releases hit the shelves. The end of October also signifies the start of Christmas trading with strong weekly sales a leading indicator of what’s to come.

740,000 copies of Christmas new releases valued at over $23 million have been ordered across the Dymocks network of stores. There are over 550 new titles featured in the Dymocks Christmas catalogue.

“I’ve never seen such a diverse Christmas list. Usually there are four or five stand-outs that everyone will buy as that special gift. This year, though, there are books to suit every taste,” said head of marketing and merchandise, Sophie Higgins.

Cookery is one of the fastest moving categories at Christmas. Dymocks expects 50 per cent growth in the cookbook category in December. “Cookbooks are a perennial favourite both as gift purchases and for home cooks looking for gourmet inspiration,” said Higgins.

Celebrity memoirs feature heavily with new biographies of sporting greats Chris Judd and Tim Cahill, and politicians Malcom Turnbull, Paul Keating and Peter Garrett.

“There’s so much to choose from this year,” Higgins said. “We are particularly excited about a new picture book from Australia’s beloved Mem Fox for the very young, gorgeous gift editions of classic Enid Blyton stories to delight a new generation of readers and of course more adventure and magic for children young and old in the new deluxe illustrated Harry Potter book.”

“Books are a great gift which last well beyond Christmas day,” Higgins said.

Dymocks Xmas 1

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