Wholesale Books & Media Suppliers

How book wholesale works

Books are sold through publishers, distributors, wholesalers and remainder dealers. New titles from distributors are often supplied on discount terms with the right to return unsold copies, while remainders and overstock are sold at a deep discount without returns. Know which you are buying, since returnable terms reduce risk but usually give a smaller discount. Each edition has its own ISBN, and paperback, hardback and international editions of the same title can differ in price, content and permitted markets.

Editions, condition and rights

Check that the ISBN matches the edition you want, and that the edition is allowed in your market. Some editions are printed for specific territories and may not be intended for sale elsewhere, and cheap international or reprint editions sometimes have lower paper and print quality. Counterfeit and pirated printings exist, particularly for textbooks and popular titles, with poor print and binding. Ask for sample copies and look at print quality, color, binding and the copyright page. For used books, grading terms such as new, like new, very good and acceptable should be defined in writing, including any marks, water damage or missing pages.

Other media

Games, puzzles, calendars, stationery-style gift books and physical music and video formats sit alongside books. Discs and vinyl records depend on pressing quality and edition. Be careful with video, music and software media, since sales of unlicensed copies infringe rights, and some titles carry age ratings and content rules that vary by country. Check the rules for your market. Calendars, diaries and annuals are dated and lose value after their period.

Seasonality and demand

Books sell through the year with peaks in the gift period, in the run-up to the school year for textbooks and children's titles, and around holiday reading seasons. Bestsellers and tie-ins move quickly but can end abruptly when attention shifts. Backlist titles sell slowly and steadily. Cookbooks and gift books sell strongly before the end of the year.

Pack sizes, storage and margins

Books are heavy, so freight is a large share of cost, and they are usually packed by carton of a fixed count or sold by pallet in remainders. Margins depend on discount level and returns. Damp and sunlight damage paper and covers, so store stock dry and away from windows. Overstock can tie up space, so rotate slow titles with promotions or bundle offers.

What to ask a supplier

1. Are the titles returnable, and what are the conditions?
2. Which editions and ISBNs are included, and are they permitted in my market?
3. What is the condition grade for used or remaindered stock?
4. How are cartons packed and how much freight is involved?
5. Can I have sample copies to check print quality?