Short discounts represent the percentage of the list price that a retailer can keep when selling books to customers at lower than list prices, thus saving some profit for themselves while paying back to publishers any difference between list and short discounts.
Short discounts usually range between 40% and 50% of the list price. For example, for a book with a list price of $100 with a 40% short discount, this would mean selling it to customers for $60 while paying $40 to publishers as their royalty fee.
These discounts vary based on the type of retailer. Online shops tend to have lower ones than brick-and-mortar outlets. They may also differ depending on the kind of book. For example, hardcover books usually receive higher discounts than paperback ones.
Retailers weigh the pros and cons of carrying any book when considering its short discount. Other considerations may include its title, author, and subject matter, as well as list price and target market.
Overall, short discounts are crucial to books because they enable both readers and publishers to save money on purchases while helping the publishing industry as a whole. By offering such deals, publishers can boost sales of their titles while simultaneously giving readers access to sales or discounts that wouldn’t otherwise be available if purchased at the total price. Overall, this type of promotion benefits readers and publishers equally, making short discounts an integral component of bookselling today.