Highlights from a new Book Industry Study Group (BISG) Study:
Multi-function tablets have become consumers’ preferred e-reading devices, overtaking dedicated e-readers for the first time, according to the Book Industry Study Group (BISG)’s closely watched Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading survey, an ongoing study powered by Bowker Market Research.
Results from the first installment in Volume Four of the survey show 44 percent of e-book readers prefer a tablet, up from 37 percent in the August 2012 survey. During the same period, respondents’ choice of a dedicated e-reader fell from 49 percent to 42 percent. The study suggests the trend will continue as respondents’ intent to purchase a dedicated e-reader has dropped, while intent to purchase has remained consistent for tablets, at about 37 percent.
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The study also shows the consistent upward swing in preference for e-books over print. About 82 percent of Power Buyers (consumers who acquire e-books on a weekly basis) say they prefer e-books over print and nearly 70 percent of Non-Power Buyers say they now prefer e- over print.
“In the five years that Bowker has been involved with BISG’s Consumer Attitudesstudy, we’ve seen e-reading of key fiction genres become mainstream,” said Jo Henry, Director of Bowker Market Research. “As consumers turn from dedicated e-reading devices to tablets, the study will continue to monitor the impact on genres, physical book acquisition, and retailers, and track the evolution of the all-important Power Buyer.”
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