Floor, in book and publishing terms, is the minimum price a seller is willing to accept for a book. Floor can also be used as a verb, as in “to floor“ a book, meaning to sell it at or below the stated minimum price.
The purpose of a floor is to protect the publisher from selling the book at too low of a price, which would result in a loss.
When a book is first published, the publisher will set a floor price, which is the minimum price they are willing to sell the book for. This price is usually based on the cost of printing and marketing the book, as well as the expected demand for the book. If the book is not selling well, the publisher may lower the floor price in order to boost sales. However, if the book is selling well, the publisher may raise the floor price in order to maximize profits.
Floors can also be used as a tool to protect against price gouging. For example, if a book is in high demand but there is a limited supply, a publisher may set a high floor price in order to discourage buyers from purchasing the book at an inflated price.
In some cases, a publisher may also use a floor price as a way to signal to customers that a book is of high quality. For instance, if a publisher knows that a particular book is likely to be in high demand, they may set a high floor.
The floor is an important part of books and publishing for many reasons. The floor can be used to hold books while they are being read, to help organize a library, and to protect books from damage. The floor can also be used to display a wide variety of book covers, to help potential readers find the book they are looking for. In addition, the floor can be used to create a comfortable and inviting reading environment.