Book printers and publishers have faced a number of serious challenges over the past several years. Customers’ expectations have dramatically changed in a short period of time, leaving these companies to play technological catch-up. With the proliferation of smartphones, e-readers, tablets, and e-books, understanding how consumers are going to access content has proven difficult if not impossible to predict. Historically, the publication of each and every book has been a gamble, and the profitability of a given book often depended on the publisher’s ability to accurately forecast demand. For publishers and book manufacturers alike, emerging technologies and consumer preferences for print appear to be converging. The result is that print is alive and well even in today’s digital age, and the tools and techniques for effective supply chain management are readily available.

Five years ago, the future of physical books didn’t look very bright. e-Book sales were at an all-time high, Borders was closing its doors, and it appeared that printed books were on their way to becoming a thing of the past. Today, though, those who are devoted to traditional books can breathe a collective sigh of relief. According to a recent report from the Pew Research Center, 65% of U.S. adults had read a physical book in the past year. Meanwhile, only 28% had read an e-book and only 14% had listened to an audio book.

Consumers Still Like Printed Books