Baby Boomers drive used book sales

Affluent and educated Baby Boomers are driving used book sales, says a new study from AbeBooks Inc.

AbeBooks, No. 70 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide, surveyed about 2,000 used book merchants between October and January.

The research found that 79% of the used book sellers that sell online at AbeBooks.com are 45 or older and more than 50% have an advanced degree. Most used book merchants are pursuing retailing as a second career and aren’t afraid of hard work. The survey notes that 11% of used book sellers work more than 50 hours per week, including 9% more than 60 hours. About 25% also expect to increase their book inventories by between 10% and 25% this year.

Used book sellers see the Internet as their best sales channel. For instance, 60% of the merchants sell only online and 21% expect to launch their own e-commerce site. Most used book sellers sell their inventory through third-party sites such as AbeBooks.com and 74% are able to sell online without outside technical assistance, the survey says.

Used book sellers are avid readers – the AbeBooks.com survey found that 33% read between five and 10 books each month. “Although this profession is relatively new, it requires dedication to build up an online inventory of books and considerable effort to find books ideal for the Internet,” says AbeBooks CEO Hannes Blum.

More than 8,000 book sellers now sell online at AbeBooks.com, the retailer says.