BAMB gives sales boost to indies and chains

Book sales through shops participating in Books Are My Bag (BAMB) were up by 3.9% in the week of the campaign, with footfall up by 15%.

Whilst sales of physical books through all channels were down 1.0% in value and 1.7% in volume terms in the week to 11th October 2014, according to Nielsen Book Research,
sales through the indies and chains participating in BAMB were up 3.9% in value and 3.6% in volume terms year on year.

The second annual BAMB campaign kicked off on Super Thursday (9th October) - the day that 315 hardback titles were published, including major Christmas contenders.

Bookshops gave away special bags designed by British artist Tracey Emin and held ‘Big Bookshop Parties’ on the Saturday (11th October), inviting customers to events.

A survey of BA members reported that 61% of bookshop customers were aware of the campaign this year with average footfall up by nearly 15%. Shops running specific events said their sales increased by an average of 19.5%.