Québec City, August 8, 2024—Final sales of new books by Québec retailers, publishers, and distributors totalled $677.3 million in 2023—a slight decrease of 0.2% from 2022 ($678.4 million). This is the third consecutive year new book sales have surpassed their pre-pandemic levels, says today’s Les ventes de livres en 2021, 2022 et 2023 report from the Institut de la statistique du Québec’s Observatoire de la culture et des communications.
Book stores: sales numbers hit 10-year high
Book store sales have been relatively stable over the last three years, but their 2023 values ($457.9 million, up 0.3% from 2022) are the highest they’ve been in ten years.
Big box stores: sales values at their lowest level
Mass market retailer sales fell in 2023 (–8.4%), putting them at their lowest level since 2019. More specifically, big box store sales cooled by 9.7% (–$4.3 million) while sales at other outlets—like supermarkets, shops, and news kiosks—dropped by 6.7% (–$2.3 million).
Publishers and distributors: sales increasing for a third consecutive year
After robust gains in 2021 (+54%) and 2022 (+28%), distributor final sales increased only modestly in 2023 to $29 million (+1.4%). This nevertheless marks a 10-year high.
Publisher sales, meanwhile, rose for a third consecutive year, surging to $118.4 million in 2023 (+3.2% from 2022)—their highest level since 2018.
E-book sales value up, but volume dips
E-book sales values in Québec establishments increased from $9.8 million to $10.3 million (+4.4%) in 2023. However, the number of sold copies waned for the third year in a row, dropping from 583,700 in 2022 to 548,000 in 2023 (–6.2%).
For 25 years, the Institut de la statistique du Québec has been producing, analyzing, and disseminating official, objective and high-quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.