[nfb-talk] {Disarmed} Fw: [SouthernFandomClassic] Amazon's 'Declaration of War' [shelf awareness]

[Ed Meskys]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Andrew Porter 
To: fictionmags at yahoogroups.com 
Cc: SouthernFandomClassic 
Sent: Saturday, July 27, 2013 4:58 PM
Subject: [SouthernFandomClassic] Amazon's 'Declaration of War' [shelf awareness]


  
"Yesterday Amazon.com quietly began discounting many bestselling 
hardcover titles between 50% and 65%, levels we've never seen in the 
history of Amazon or in the bricks-and-mortar price wars of the past. 
The books are from a range of major publishers and include, for 
example, Inferno by Dan Brown, which has a list price of $29.95 but 
is available on Amazon for $11.65, a 61% discount; And the Mountains 
Echoed by Khaled Hosseini, listed for $28.95, offered at $12.04, a 
58% discount; Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, listed at $24.95, available 
for $9.09, a 64% discount; and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, 
listed at $17.99, available for $6.55, 64% off. A notable exception 
is The Cuckoo's Calling by J.K. Rowling, using the pseudonym Robert 
Galbraith, which is discounted 42%.

"The discounts are far below the usual 40%-50% range sometimes 
offered by Amazon, warehouse clubs and other discounters and are more 
typical for remainders than frontlist hardcovers. In some cases, the 
hardcovers are priced below the Kindle editions.

" "It's an open declaration of war against the industry," said Jack 
McKeown, president of Books & Books Westhampton Beach, Westhampton 
Beach, N.Y. Like several people familiar with Amazon's move, he 
speculated that Amazon has been "emboldened" by the Justice 
Department's victory against five major publishers in the e-book 
agency model case as well as Wall Street's acceptance of continued 
losses by Amazon for now in the expectation of retail domination -- 
and major profits -- eventually. This last point was seen most 
recently on Thursday, when Amazon's quarterly results included a net 
loss and were below Wall Street expectations but did not provoke the 
usual rush to sell, as is the case with most companies whose results 
are disappointing.

"Another possible reason for Amazon's boldness is its apparently cozy 
relationship with the Obama administration -- whose Justice 
Department pursued the agency model case, which mainly benefited 
Amazon. This relationship will be highlighted this coming Tuesday, 
when the president will give another major speech on the economy and 
aiding the middle class at, of all places, the Amazon warehouse in 
Chattanooga, Tenn. This is roughly equivalent of going to a Wal-Mart 
and calling for more of the kinds of jobs it offers. -- John Mutter"

***

-- Andy Porter



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