In Russia, sales in bookstores decreased by 6-18 percent during the first eight months of 2025. The main factor for this is the rapid growth of market sales, which occupies about 65% of the book market.
Nevertheless, the total turnover of the bookstore chain grew by 1.1%. This is explained by the sharp increase in book prices. Currently, the average price in stores is 546 rubles, which is 12.3% more than last year. Publishers attribute this situation to rising costs for paper, printing, and logistics, Kommersant reports.
In addition, the number of visitors to bookstores has decreased. While the average flow decreased by 6.6%, in some regions a decrease of up to 20% was observed. The closure of more than 200 stores across the country within a year also increased concerns in the market.
At the same time, the segment of digital books continues to grow. Electronic formats are becoming increasingly popular as a convenient and practical alternative for many readers.
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