A GoodeReader post talks about a 10% decline in eBook sales in 2017 that can be directly attributed to the agency model (or price-fixing) where the legacy publishers set eBook prices ridiculously high to drive consumers to cheaper paperback and hardcover sales. It’s important to note that the quoted research is “skewed” because it does not include sales for the massive Indie author and publisher market share.
Is this trouble for everyone or just an indicator that Amazon and the legacy publishers (the big five) are losing their “death” grip on the market? It’s more likely that jaded consumers are tired of the obvious manipulation and are simply clearing the way for the 2018 eBook Resurgence when the other big players, Kobo/Rakuten–Walmart, Apple and Barnes & Noble, are expected to return to the competition with a vengeance.
