Inpress launches delivery service for indies

Inpress has launched a delivery service for independent bookshops.

The sales and marketing agency's new strategy, Inpress direct delivery, will enable bookseller to order titles from NBNi and Booksource, to be delivered to customers.

Managing director of Inpress Sophie O’Neill said: “Our publishers want to support the independent book trade, we need these shops to weather this storm and open again when lockdown comes to an end.  We are really grateful that our distribution partners NBNi and BookSource have been quick to respond to this need and support this programme. We have turned it around in a week.”

“We want to support the trade and our publishers.  While there are problems with the supply chain, we can now confidently promote our new titles to the trade. Shops can support our new publishing and be confident the books will reach their customers.”

Publishers will absorb the cost of postage, giving booksellers 30% return on the recommended retail price.

The scheme will run until independent bookshops are able to open their doors to the public again.

Sam McDowell, publisher at Charco Press, whose title The Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara has just been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, said: “As the publishing industry reels from the impacts of the lockdown, speed of innovation to adapt and find new ways to try and support booksellers is critical.

"This initiative by Inpress is an example of just how the industry needs to react.”