Bookstores, publishing companies and businesses that have books as the center of their universe make up a sector that was also hit by the pandemic. social conflicts, including roadblocks, as well as recent weather events, have influenced the slowdown in its recovery, so much so that its income only reaches 60% of what was registered in 2019, according to the Peruvian Book Chamber (CPL).
To this scenario it must be added that in October of this year the tax benefits of the book law (31053) expire, which is why this union is requesting the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) to extend the validity of the exemption of the IGV or that is established as a long-term measure. “If we lose the tax benefit, we will not be able to grow,” says Antonio Moretti, manager of the CPL, in dialogue with La República.
But the pandemic It also stimulated the habit of reading in Peruvians, which is being maintained even when we are no longer forced to stay in our homes, and could boost the reactivation of the sector that moves around S/200 million a year, according to Percy Uriarte, product manager and editorial of Librerías Crisol.
The book trade in Peru is another of the sectors hit by the pandemic, it is still at 60% of what was registered in 2019. Photo: Libros a mí
“People pay more attention to the book, it is within their alternatives for cultural and entertainment consumption,” says Uriarte. So, in its quest to democratize book access and broaden its reader base, Crisol will open six more stores this year in different regions, adding to the 37 they already have.
For his part, Moretti reveals that those who buy more books today are women. While the average price that readers pay for a book is between S/50 and S/80 in Lima; and, in regions, the amount ranges between S/30 and S/50.
Regarding the categories of preference, what is sold the most are children’s readings; then comes literature -novels, chronicles, essays and fiction texts-; and in third place are youth books, which —according to Librerías Crisol— have experienced explosive growth during the pandemic.
For him Day of the book (celebrated every April 23), those who are passionate about reading or those who want to start cultivating this habit You can go to bookstores, which usually have discounts and special offers for this date, and thus contribute to the growth of this industry.
Millennials lead the purchase of books online
People between the ages of 21 and 36, centennials and millennials, are the ones who buy the most books online, surpassing mature and older adults, according to the online bookstore Buscalibre Peru.
“The group shows a preference for youth literature, entrepreneurship, personal development and personal finance. There is also a great demand for romantic novels”, says Luis Felipe Casas, country manager of Buscalibre Peru.
Access, compare prices and reading reviews from other users are benefits that these readers appreciate.
Source: Larepublica
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