The document discusses several issues facing the book trade industry. It notes that book selling brings together different players and is vital for disseminating information, but that various factors have negatively impacted bookstores. These include the recession, the decline of small independent bookshops, and an "inverted snobbery" regarding books. Meanwhile, large book chains have displaced small sellers. The document also states that books have enabled knowledge transfer and development, but that the book trade industry faces internal issues within a bookseller's control, like marketing and location, and external issues beyond control like political, economic, social and technological changes.

1. Issues in BooktradeIssues in Booktrade
• Book selling is key in various waysBook selling is key in various ways
considering how it brings togetherconsidering how it brings together
different players. The results ofdifferent players. The results of
transaction in dissemination oftransaction in dissemination of
information and knowledgeinformation and knowledge
acquisition are vital in all sectors. Ifacquisition are vital in all sectors. If
books were authored and not got tobooks were authored and not got to
the bookshop shelves, users/readersthe bookshop shelves, users/readers
would never get to know the contentswould never get to know the contents
of those publications.of those publications.

2. • In part this can be attributed toIn part this can be attributed to
the recession, but there arethe recession, but there are
various other factors in play, notvarious other factors in play, not
the least being the demise ofthe least being the demise of
small independent bookshops thatsmall independent bookshops that
have kept the focus on the bookhave kept the focus on the book
as an individual product ratheras an individual product rather
than a mass commodity.than a mass commodity.

3. • There is also an inverted snobbery inThere is also an inverted snobbery in
the air, with attempts to brand athe air, with attempts to brand a
concern for books and their value asconcern for books and their value as
a form of élitism.a form of élitism.
• Running parallel with this process, theRunning parallel with this process, the
book chains elbowed smallbook chains elbowed small
booksellers aside and starting many abooksellers aside and starting many a
gimmick to attract the reading public.gimmick to attract the reading public.
‘Buy two books, get one free’ became‘Buy two books, get one free’ became
a common slogan.a common slogan.

4. • Books have done well in knowledgeBooks have done well in knowledge
transfer leading to development intransfer leading to development in
varied disciplines like education andvaried disciplines like education and
research. However, despite its role,research. However, despite its role,
booktrade has its share of issues.booktrade has its share of issues.
These issues can be put into twoThese issues can be put into two
broad categories; those within thebroad categories; those within the
booksellers control and thosebooksellers control and those
withoutwithout

5. Challenges within BooksellersChallenges within Booksellers
ControlControl
• ConsumersConsumers
• PublicityPublicity
• OrganizationsOrganizations
• Location and SetupLocation and Setup
• TrainingTraining
• Legal IssuesLegal Issues

6. Booksellers control cont…Booksellers control cont…
• Reading cultureReading culture
• Specialized book eventsSpecialized book events
• On-line sellingOn-line selling
• Changes in curriculaChanges in curricula
• Export and import procedure.Export and import procedure.
• Financial and records managementFinancial and records management

7. Those outside the booksellersThose outside the booksellers
controlcontrol
• PoliticalPolitical
• EconomicEconomic
• SocialSocial
• TechnologicalTechnological