Book fair ends, publishers unhappy with sales

Amar Ekushey Book Fair, an 18-day event, concluded on Sunday, leaving publishers and stall owners disappointed as sales dropped far below expectations, reports the Daily Star and Financial Express. 
Despite the usual festive atmosphere and crowds thronging the Bangla Academy premises, publishers reported that foot traffic failed to translate into actual purchases. Many stall owners claimed that sales this year were the lowest in nearly a decade.
According to the report of the Financial Express, this year's fair recorded a combined book sale of around Tk170 million.
Publishers echo frustration
Farid Ahmed, owner of Prokashoni, a prominent publishing house, told The Daily Star that despite investing heavily in new titles and stall decorations, the returns were underwhelming. "We had high hopes for this year's fair, especially with the month-long duration. But the buying sentiment was extremely poor. People came, they browsed, but they didn't buy," he lamented.
Several publishers echoed similar sentiments, attributing the decline to economic pressures on middle-class families, rising book prices, and a growing shift toward digital entertainment among younger generations.
Mahbubur Rahman, CEO of Adarsha Prokashoni, said to the media that the industry must begin preparing early for the next edition.
“This year’s fair has ended, but discussions about the future should start now. We need to rethink how the fair can be organised more effectively when it coincides with Ramadan again,” he said.
Pathak Shamabesh’s head of sales, Md. Shamim Hossain, stated to the New Age that while sales totaled approximately Taka 5 lakh, the primary reason for their participation was to uphold the country’s longstanding tradition.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, the Prokashok Oikka highlighted the overall situation of the fair in a press conference. According to them, book sales this year dropped by nearly 80 per cent compared to last year. They also claimed that the business situation was even worse than the fair held during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
Mixed reactions from visitors
While many visitors expressed disappointment over the lack of new releases, others appreciated the fair's organisation. University student Rifat Hossain said to the media, "I come every year, but this time I could only afford two books. Everything is becoming expensive."
Organiser’s respond
Bangla Academy Director General Mohammad Anwar Hossain acknowledged the feedback but remained optimistic. "The fair is not just about sales; it's about celebrating our language and culture. We will review publisher concerns and explore ways to make next year's event more commercially viable," he stated.
Looking ahead
With production costs rising and reader habits evolving, stakeholders agree that the traditional book fair model may need reinvention to remain relevant in a rapidly changing literary landscape.
According to the fair’s information centre, 2,007 new books were submitted during the event, though the actual number may be higher as not all publishers deposit copies of their books with the centre.