Bookstore sales increased by 19%: Summary of Independent Bookstores Week

During Independent Bookstores Week, held for the first time in Ukraine from June 24 to 30, participating bookstores saw a 19% increase in sales revenue compared to the previous week.

The initiative brought together more than 20 independent bookstores from 7 cities across Ukraine. In addition, 42 events took place throughout the week.

According to the organizers, the average sales growth for participating bookstores during this week was +19% compared to the previous week. The highest single sale of Independent Bookstores Week was recorded at the Kyiv bookstore Readeat — $ 245 USD (10,248 UAH).

Among the best-selling books in the bookstores:

Readeat bookstore (Kyiv):

• “Archer’s Voice” by Mia Sheridan, RM Publishing
• “Say You Swear” by Meagan Brandy, RM Publishing
• “Belladonna” by Adalyn Grace, Vivat
• “Nevernight” by Jay Kristoff, Nebo Booklab Publishing
• “Wild Animal” by Joël Dicker, Old Lion Publishing

Moya Knyzhkova Polytsia (My Bookshelf) (Kyiv):

• “The Paris Bookseller” by Kerri Maher, Moya Knyzhkova Politsya
• “All the Beauty in the World” by Patrick Bringley, Moya Knyzhkova Politsya
• “Detective Dupka”. The Lady in Purple Mystery by Troll, Moya Knyzhkova Politsya
• “Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst” by Robert Sapolsky, Nash Format
• “Court of the Vampire Queen” by Katee Robert, Vivat

Nisha (Dnipro):

• “Cry, Sister, Laugh” by Violetta Kim, Creative Women Publishing
• “Unfinished Manuscript” by Franck Thilliez, Fabula
• “If Only I Had Told Her” by Laura Nowlin, RM Publishing
• “The Blue Castle” by Lucy Maud Montgomery, One More Page
• “Desert Flower” by Waris Dirie, One More Page

Vperta Koza / Stubborn Goat  (Dnipro):

• “The Guardians of Borders and Limits: Dedication of the Sword” by Gael Alejo Grajilla, Readberry
• “Chemistry of Death” by Simon Beckett, KSD
• “Myths of Ancient Greece”
• “November 9” by Colleen Hoover, RM Publishing
• “Planet Wormwood” by Oksana Zabuzhko, Komora

Zatyshna Knyharnya / Cozy Bookstore (Rivne) has only Ukrainian books among bestselling titles this week:

• “It Takes Two for a Relationship” by Volodymyr Stanchyshyn, Vikhola
• “Sanitary Worker Raya” by Oleksandr Irvanets, Ababahalamaha
• “Walls in My Head” by Volodymyr Stanchyshyn, Vikhola
• “Inheritance” by Lyuko Dashvar, KSD
• “Mother Has Everything” by Lyuko Dashvar, KSD

As reported earlier, Ukraine established Independent Bookstores Week with the aim not only to support independent bookstores as businesses but also to restore understanding of their role as cultural centers of Ukrainian cities, as places of trust, dialogue, and collective action.

RELATED: Ukraine launches Independent Bookstore Week to support small businesses

Main image: Readeat bookstore

Copy editing: Joy Tataryn