The volume of children’s books sold in New Zealand during the first week of New Zealand Book Month, week ending 5 March, has remained strong despite the tough economic climate and the devastating Christchurch earthquake.
In what could have been the toughest week this year for books, Nielsen BookScan data for March shows strong results, with overall sales on-par with that of week prior (last week of February), and sales figures consistent with the same period last year.
Versus same week last year, Children’s books experienced a 1.5% increase in volume sales, and show a 1.1% uplift in volume sales on the year to date trend. Children’s books also have become much stronger in the overall market for books, accounting for 36.7% of all books sold, versus 33.2% last
year in the same week – a positive swing of 3.5%.
New Zealand Book Month Project Director Nikki Crowther says:
“I am delighted to see that New Zealand Book Month has impacted so positively on children’s books.”
“We see this as a very positive result indeed, and a reflection of the important role books play in people’s lives – especially in times of need.
It is particularly interesting to note the success of the children’s book ‘Quaky Cat’ by Diana Noonan (Scholastic), published in response to the Christchurch earthquake in September 2010. That book was the bestselling New Zealand Children’s Book for the week ending 5 March.
It’s a lovely story, and no doubt will be assisting thousands of parents and their children around the country, to talk about, and begin to come to terms with what has happened.
In addition, the twenty finalist books in the 2011 New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards have also enjoyed a significant spike in sales since being announced on 22 February.
Books are, and will always be, a great gift for children, and I think many parents and grandparents are simply having to prioritise their spending, and thankfully books are holding strong.”
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