Many people start buying Christmas presents already today at the Helsinki Book Fair, which starts on Thursday. The book industry is tense about how inflation will affect book sales.
The biggest event in the book industry in Finland, the Helsinki Book Fair, starts today Thursday at Messukeskus. In addition to the diverse program offering, people also come to the fair for shopping. According to last year’s visitor survey, an average of five books were bought at the Helsinki Book Fair. Publishing houses have also steadily increased their sales at fairs.
However, many things have changed during the year, and there are many question marks associated with this year’s fair.
The purchasing behavior of visitors to the Helsinki book fair anticipates the Christmas sales of books, which is definitely the most important time of the year for publishing houses and bookstores. Then a significant part of the year’s result is made.
The purchase of Christmas gifts often starts already at the book fair, as almost all sellers have fair offers.
The world situation also affects book sales
During this year, however, inflation has weakened people’s desire to buy. The increase in the price of food, energy and other basic needs may also be reflected in book sales at the end of the year.
– In the book industry, we live in a little tension now. Prediction is never easy, but now it is almost impossible. Due to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, there are so many variables in the air that affect all of our lives. The changes are fast and can surprise.
The price of the book has not been significantly affected by the increase in the price of things, although compared to last year the price of paper alone has risen by about 40 percent.
– Of course, you can’t put it directly in the price of the book. It would be too much for consumers. I think that many publishing houses are preparing for a decrease in profit for this year.
Books are sought for comfort and information
– September sales show a drop. It has focused especially on non-fiction books.
The prices of printed books are usually between 20 and 30 euros. It’s a lot of money, but compared to many other consumer goods for leisure, you can spend hours with a book. In addition, the same book can be read by several people.
– We must remember that in these difficult times, books have a lot to offer. Often in moments of crisis, people turn to books, says Laura Karlsson.
This can also be seen in the lists of best-selling books compiled by the Norwegian Booksellers’ Association. Entertainment literature and so-called feel good literature have strengthened their positions. They offer a way to escape everyday worries. Works reflecting on history and the state of the world are also popular when people want to try to understand the current turmoil.
Laura Karlsson believes that the book will also retain its status as a Christmas present.
– The book has traditionally been a recession-proof commodity. The price of the book is quite appropriate for a Christmas gift, and it is still a valued and recovered gift.
How book sales go at fairs depends a lot on the number of visitors. There are also a lot of question marks associated with that. Corona is still in effect, so it may still affect the audience.
Last year, the number of visitors at the Helsinki Book Fair fell to around 50,000 visitors. Because of Corona, especially the elderly stayed at home. Before the pandemic, in 2019 the fair set a visitor record. At that time there were about 90,000 visitors. The 2020 fair was organized remotely via streams.
The book fair continues at the Helsinki Exhibition Center until Sunday evening.