Audiobook and fiction sales soar in 2021, PA data shows

Audiobook and fiction sales soared in the first six months of 2021, according to new data released by the Publishers Association (PA).

The PA Sales Monitor report is based on data from its members, grossed up to represent the full market by Nielsen. Its new figures show audiobook income for the first six months of 2021 was up 71% on the same period in 2019, from £45m to £76m. Comparatively, consumer e-book sales income was up 10% in the same timeframe from £121m to £133m with consumer print up 6% from £687m to £731m. 

Other key stats from the January to June 2021 data show overall books sales income across consumer, education and academic was up 4% since the same period in 2019 from £1.63bn to £1.69bn. Consumer books sales income was up 10% on 2019 from £853m to £940m. Fiction rocketed 28% from £265m to £340m while children's books were up 8% from £160m to £173m with particular rises in export (14%) and digital (26%). 

Consumer non-fiction has stayed level with the first six months of 2019 at £427m but digital consumer non-fiction is up 30% from £41m to £53m. 

Stephen Lotinga, chief executive of the PA, said: “It’s fantastic to see that books have offered people entertainment and comfort in this difficult period. UK publishers have continued to release books that engage readers across the UK and around the world.

“The steep rise of audiobooks is a truly interesting development as it may suggest that new demographics are embracing this format. It does beg the question why, unlike print and ebooks, book-lovers are still required to pay VAT on audiobooks and this is something we continue to raise with the government.”

Kiera O'Brien, The Bookseller's charts and data editor, said the results reflected the findings in Nielsen's Books and Consumers report which estimated a projected £200m for audiobooks in 2021, although that includes physical audio, and is based on consumers self-reporting what they're buying. "They both seem to agree that there's been a huge rise in audiobook sales over the pandemic," she said.