Bookshop (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | E-commerce, Book retail |
| Founded | January 2020 |
| Founder | Andy Hunter |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States, United Kingdom |
| Products | Books, e-books |
| Owner | Private |
| Website | bookshop |
Bookshop.org is a digital marketplace for books that debuted in January 2020, aiming to provide financial backing to local, independent bookstores. Bookshop, Inc., a privately owned entity, holds certification as a B Corporation.
History
The inception of Bookshop.org traces back to Andy Hunter, who co-founded Literary Hub and Electric Literature and began formulating the idea in 2018. The American Booksellers Association gave its endorsement in 2019; by February 2023, Bookshop.org had attracted affiliation from 70% of its members.
Following its January 2020 launch, the platform saw rapid expansion amid the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 2, 2020, Bookshop.org extended its reach to the United Kingdom through collaboration with Gardners Books, a wholesaler that operates a comparable profit-sharing scheme with UK-based independent bookstores.
Since its establishment, Bookshop.org has generated upwards of $33 million to support local bookstores. In 2023, it supplanted IndieBound as the official online platform endorsed by the American Booksellers Association for promoting independent bookstores. By 2023, its sales volume represented approximately 1% of Amazon’s book sales, aligning with Hunter’s initial objectives.
In January 2025, the company launched e-book sales, allowing bookstores to market ebooks directly to consumers while retaining full proceeds from each transaction. Shoppers can explore ebook selections on the platform and choose which bookstore receives their support.
Model
Bookshop.org was developed to counterbalance Amazon's market dominance by providing a user-friendly online storefront that channels customers toward independent booksellers. It collaborates with media organizations that review and promote books, incentivizing them to link to Bookshop.org through enhanced commissions and alignment with its mission. Utilizing an affiliate marketing framework, Bookshop.org processes orders on behalf of independent bookstores and returns 30% of the book’s cover price to them. Authors, publishers, and reviewers may also participate as affiliates, earning a 10% commission. Moreover, 10% of all revenues generated on Bookshop.org are pooled and distributed among independent bookstores.
In 2020, Bookshop.org formed a partnership with audiobook provider Libro.fm, directing users interested in audiobooks to Libro.fm’s platform. By 2023, Bookshop.org began releasing exclusive titles available solely through its website and partner independent bookstores.
Reception
At the time of its debut, some independent booksellers and publishers perceived Bookshop.org as a rival rather than a collaborator due to lower commission rates compared with direct sales. Nonetheless, many booksellers and authors embraced it as a beneficial alternative to Amazon that actively supports local bookstores. Time Magazine observed that the pandemic helped reduce criticism by offering vital assistance to independent booksellers during store closures.