The day of Sant Jordi It invites you to walk the streets and also fantastic bookstores that we haven’t had time to visit the rest of the year. In addition to crowds of readers and thousands of books for sale, a feature of April 23 are the discounts and special promotions in these specialized establishments. A strategy on which the booksellers of Barcelona have different positions and that is very marked by the Spanish law that governs the sector.
to understand Why do some stores offer discounts and others don’t?, and even the amount of the discount, you have to look at state legislation. The price of publications is highly regulated in Spain, unlike other countries.
Rigid percentages, variable margins
All books arrive at bookstores with a fixed retail price (RRP)determined by the publisher. By lawbooksellers can only offer their customers a maximum 5% discount on this fixed price, all year, as the Gremi de Llibreters de Barcelona has reminded its associates this week. Exceptionally, the same law allows them to extend the discount to 10% on April 23 –not the days before– and at book fairs organized directly by the sector.
Sources consulted by EL PERIÓDICO explain that the ability to apply this discount depends fundamentally on the profit margin. The profits for the establishments are determined by the agreement reached by the business and the distributor that sends each book. It is usually around 30%, a small portion compared to many other daily consumer products of a similar amount. The large bookstores and portals like AmazonBy buying a large volume of copies and titles, they can get better deals with distributors. And with a better margin, the 10% discount is more bearable.
On the contrary, the small establishments and cooperatives, which handle smaller volumes and generally more specialized publications, have less bargaining power. With lower margins, offering the biggest sales day of the year a 10% discount and even the standard 5% is a big sacrifice for your accounting. In addition, they are reticent about the Sant Jordi discounts because they assert the added value of offering more proximity and advice to the client at the foot of the neighborhood.
bookstores with discounts
Thus, legislation and margins are the two keys that explain the uneven distribution of discounts in bookstores in Barcelona. EL PERIÓDICO has reviewed the discounts announced by the best-known establishments in the city and has been able to verify the scarce presence of 10% promotions, although those of 5% can be found in many places.
For example, the central It offers a 5% discount from April 20 to 22 and on April 23 it goes up to 10%. The travel bookstore Altair He also plays with the double percentage: 5% on Saturday and 10% on Sunday. laie It also announces a 10% discount on the online purchase of books for the Diada. Also added to the 10%, face-to-face and online, the Diputació bookstore from Barcelona.
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On the other hand, chains FNAC and the House of the book they stick to the 5% allowed for the whole year. Several bookstores have opted for complementary promotions with an aesthetic appeal, especially by giving away a tote bag limited edition corporate It is the case of documentsof the chain abacus for purchases over 40 euros and Alibriwhich, in addition to a cloth bag for those who spend more than 35 euros, has served free coffee in its bar the days before Sant Jordi.
The cooperative bookstore keys de l’Hospitalet offers 5% and a free book on birthdays to all its members, as a lever to expand the community. The cooperative bookstore also offers 5% on books and other advantages The Invisible City of Saints.