Québec, September 24, 2026. – In 2025, final sales of new books in Québec reached $728 million, up 3.2% from 2024. The book industry therefore continued its upward trend for the fifth consecutive year and recorded its highest level since 2010.
Final sales of new books1, Québec, 2016 to 2025
Notes
1. To obtain estimates in constant dollars, sales are ajusted based on the annual consumer price index (annual CPI) for Canada in the books and reading material (excluding textbooks) category for general books, and on the annual CPI for the school textbooks and supplies category for textbooks.
Source
Institut de la statistique du Québec, Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec. New book sales by outlet category, annual data, Québec. Statistics Canada. Table 18-10-0005-01 Consumer Price Index, annual average, not seasonally adjusted.
Bookstores retain their central role
Bookstores remain the primary sales channel for new books in Québec. In 2025, they accounted for nearly 65% of all final sales, for a total of $470 million.
Other mass market retailers such as superstores, pharmacies and newsstands generated about $67 million in sales, or about 10% of the market.
Growth was observed in most regions
Bookstore sales were up in 12 administrative regions between 2024 and 2025. The strongest increases were observed in Laval (+12%), Chaudière-Appalaches (+10%), and Estrie (+9%).
In contrast, certain regions posted declines, including Capitale-Nationale (-11%), the grouped regions of Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine (-9.3%), Abitibi-Témiscamingue (-5.3%), and Montréal (-2.1%).
Despite this drop, Montréal remains the primary market for books in Québec and accounted for 36% of bookstore sales, followed by Montérégie (13%) and Capitale-Nationale (11%).
Bookstore final sales of new books by administrative region, Québec, 2024 and 2025
Source
Institut de la statistique du Québec, Observatoire de la culture et des communications du Québec.
For more information:
Les ventes de livres neufs au Québec en 2025
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