Book market inches up in 2013

Poland’s book publishing market grew by 0.4 percent year-on-year to PLN 2.68 billion in 2013, according to data from Biblioteka Analiz, quoted by Gazeta Wyborcza. In 2011-2012 the sector’s value had declined. Two years of decline were largely due to the introduction of a 5-percent VAT rate on books, the report said. Retail prices rose by 10 percent or even 15-20 in the case of textbooks. The highest growth, by 28-percent, was demonstrated by the e-book segment. Sales amounted to PLN 53.7 million. The segment is likely to growth further in the future, especially if the current 23-percent VAT rate for e-books is cut down to 5 percent, Biblioteka Analiz said.