Bookshop.org Launches UK E-Book Platform Empowering Independent Bookstores

Bookshop.org has launched a new e-book platform in the UK, enabling independent bookstores to sell digital books and retain 100% of the profits from each sale, with prices matching those on Amazon. This initiative aims to provide an alternative to Amazon's Kindle monopoly and support local bookstores in the digital age, allowing customers to direct purchases to specific stores or contribute to a shared profit pool benefiting all participating shops. The platform offers over one million e-books from major publishers, accessible via web browsers and Bookshop.org's Apple and Android apps, though Amazon Kindle devices cannot access these e-books due to DRM restrictions. Bookshop.org plans to launch its own e-reader and introduce audiobooks by 2026, addressing booksellers' long-standing requests for digital offerings. The move has been positively received by booksellers and authors alike, highlighting the importance of e-books in reaching readers who lack access to traditional formats, with nearly a quarter of Britons reportedly preferring e-books over other formats. Industry support is strong, with publishers appreciating the diversification away from reliance on Amazon, while the platform looks to challenge Amazon's dominance in the e-book market valued at £268 million in the UK.