IBS Sponsors the Bookseller’s Reading the Future Survey

As part of its 150th birthday celebration, the Bookseller commissioned the biggest survey of reading behavior of Britons for more than 50 years. The survey was designed to see if publishers and booksellers were really meeting the needs of readers today. Next Big Thing carried out the research, which was sponsored by IBS and presented to more than 100 delegates at a special Bookseller Seminar in June 2008.

The report was put together by William Higham of Next Big Thing and involved a sixteen question, clipboard survey of over 1000 adults across the country to gauge their attitude towards a variety of issues including their present browsing habits to the future of bookshops. The result was a comprehensive survey covering a number of important issues that fuelled some lively debate and may have left many publishers wondering if their business strategies were heading in the right direction.

Mike Irving, VP Publishing for IBS, explains why the company sponsored this research, “As a company, IBS has already made huge investments in developing a complete publishing ERP software system that is designed specifically for publishers and book distributors. It is therefore very important that we stay in tune with the market and understand as well as any of the main players what is happening and what is really affecting the industry.”

He continues, “Accurate forecasting is critical to the publishing industry as it is an area where huge sums of money can be lost or saved. IBS Bookmaster provides exceptional forecasting capabilities, based on real-time, real-life information and makes this available through a variety of easy to use, graphical reporting tools. Understanding the buying habits and trends of the general public is also critical to accurate forecasting and much of this information can be incorporated into IBS Bookmaster’s demand planning and forecasting systems.”

Reading the Future is researched and written by consumer research and future trends consultancy Next Big Thing in association with the Bookseller. The project is sponsored by software company IBS Bookmaster. The 53-page report is available to buy for £195 (£229 inc VAT).

To order your copy of Reading the Future today contact:

Sally Greetham
Phone: +44 20 7420 6028
Email: sally.greetham@bookseller.co.uk

For more information contact:

Mike Irving
Vice President Publishing
IBS AB
Phone: +44 20 8207 5655
Email: mike.irving@ibs.net 

IBS (OMX Nordic Exchange STO: IBS) is a leading provider of specialized business systems for specific industries such as publishing and book distribution, pharmaceutical distribution, electrical and electronic parts and equipment, paper, food and the automotive industry. IBS focuses on large and mid-sized companies within supply chain management, demand-driven manufacturing, customer administration and financial control. For further information, visit www.ibs.net

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