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Before setting up stalls at the book fair, booksellers and publishers had high hopes as the situation was free from Covid-risk this time compared to last two years.
However, the book fair witnessed a record number of visitors, but the turnover was not enough compared to the high turnout.
Though overall sales increased, the turnover was not as per the expectations of booksellers and publishers.
Some booksellers and publishers expressed their satisfaction with the overall turnover, but most of them expressed dismay saying that their expectations have not been fulfilled.
“Our expectations have not been fulfilled due to high book prices, rise in living costs, readers’ shifting to online and decrease in habit of book reading among the young generation,” one of the booksellers said.
According to BAPUS, the paper price witnessed 100 per cent rise while the book price increased by 22 per cent compared to last year.
Kazi Nafizul Islam, publisher of Shikha Prokashani, said that a huge number of visitors came to the fair. “But very few of them purchased books. We could not attain the target as our turnover dropped by 30 per cent this year.”
He said that the publications also reduced compared to last year. Last year we published some 50 books but so far only 35 this year, he added.
Md. Riaz Khan, publisher of Rodela Prokashani, said that they witnessed very few readers due to a hike of book prices. The readers are gradually shifting to online. “We are offering 25 per cent discount. But the readers can have enjoyed more discounts online. This is why sales could not gain momentum at the fair. The turnover was down by 20 per cent compared to last year,” he added.
The booksellers said that they could not sell books as per expectations even on February 21 and Pahela Falgun.
Iftekhar Ahmed Aziz, senior executive of Panjeree Publication, said that each year they witnessed a record turnover during national days. This year the visitors flocked to the fair increasingly but the turnover was not satisfactory. The habit of reading books among the young generation has reduced due to social media addiction, he claimed.
On the other hand, some booksellers and publishers claimed that they are going to see a good year as their expectations were fulfilled.
Despite price hike of books and economic crisis, they said, many readers visited the fair and purchased their favourite books.
Md. Sohel, Marketing Manager of Kakoli Publication, said that they saw a good year with a record turnover. Amid high turnout of visitors, the turnover increased three times, he added.
Md. Gofur Hossain, Member Secretary of the Standing Committee on Creative Literature, said that their expectation has not been fulfilled due to increase in paper and book prices. “We are happy as our expectations have almost been fulfilled. We must work to increase the practice of reading books mostly among the young generation for moving the country forward,” he added.
