Bookshop.org, the platform supporting independent bookstores, launched its own e-book service on Tuesday, providing readers a way to buy digital books without enriching Amazon. For years, Amazon’s dominance in the e-book market, fueled by its Kindle device, has led to accusations of monopolistic practices from authors and booksellers alike.
While Amazon leads in e-book sales, other companies like Kobo offer alternative e-readers. However, options for purchasing e-books directly from publishers or independent booksellers have been limited, leaving consumers to turn to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or big-box retailers for digital books.
In response, Bookshop.org, alongside services like Libro.fm, has offered an alternative by sharing profits with independent bookstores across the U.S. But until now, e-book readers had few choices beyond Amazon’s ecosystem. Bookshop.org’s new e-book platform offers consumers a much-needed option to purchase digital books while still supporting small businesses.
Andy Hunter, Bookshop.org’s founder and CEO, said, “When we launched Bookshop.org, the vision was to support local bookstores in their battle against Amazon and other online retailers. This launch represents our commitment to keeping bookstores afloat.”
Currently, Bookshop.org’s e-books are available through its web browser or mobile apps for Android and iOS. However, to truly compete, Bookshop.org must find a way for readers to download its e-books to popular e-readers like Kindle. While critics like Maris Kreizman acknowledge that Bookshop.org’s entry into the e-book market won’t fully dismantle Amazon’s monopoly, they see it as an important and celebratory first step.
