Bloomsbury, the leading independent publisher, today reveals plans to support independent bookshops during the COVID-19 crisis by offering a referral incentive for Bloomsbury titles and sharing its ecommerce and distribution channels.
At a time when readers need books more than ever during this unprecedented period of self-isolation, Bloomsbury is reaching out to independent bookshops that have been hit the hardest following the fall-out of the COVID-19 crisis.
Independent booksellers can use the Bloomsbury website to deliver books to their customers in a quick, reliable and cost-effective way. Bookshops can direct their customers to Bloomsbury.com with a unique promotional code and Bloomsbury will credit 15% of that purchase price back to that specific bookshop.
This initiative will provide valuable support to independent bookshops at this time when their regular delivery routes may be unavailable and reaching customers further afield or based internationally is challenging. So far, an enthusiastic number of bookshops have signed up to this initiative.
Brigid Nelson, UK Consumer Sales Director, Bloomsbury, said: “Everyone in the publishing industry is doing everything they can to provide books across the country at a time when readers need them most. We hope that this initiative helps towards protecting independent bookshops from losing out during this period of challenged trading due to the coronavirus. Bookshops are an essential pillar of local communities as well as the publishing industry, and we’re proud to help support small, independent retailers at this time of crisis.”
Rosamund de la Hey, Owner of independent bookshop, The Mainstreet Trading Company in St Boswells, commented: “Every penny counts for independent bookshops right now, so it’s brilliant to see Bloomsbury launching this new online scheme. Many independents have gone online themselves for the first time in the past week, so hopefully we may all emerge from this crisis with some positives. What Bloomsbury have put together, with equal speed and efficiency, is really encouraging.”
The scheme is set to run until 1st June 2020. There is no minimum or maximum price limit, and orders over £25 are eligible for free delivery. Orders received by midday will usually be supplied within 48 hours.
Any independent bookshops that are interested in taking part should email Glen Holmes, Sales and Marketing Manager at Bloomsbury, via glen.holmes@bloomsbury.com for further information.
