New Zealanders move away from books, opting for digital media alternatives
The declining numbers of book stores also have readers concerned about literacy levels
New figures reveal traditional means of reading are being replaced with digital media alternatives at an accelerated rate.
Companies Office statistics show more book retailers closed in 2013 than in any other of the previous 12 years.
In the past seven years there has been a daunting 212% increase in local bookstore closures when compared to the seven years prior.
In November last year, NBR revealed popular Grey Lynn bookstore Cook the Books was placed into liquidation as well as receivership and put under the control of the Official Assignee.
The increasing availability of technology such as e-readers and online book downloading apps may be the cause of the declining numbers, as consumers appear to be selecting digital options over books.
Impact PR is the company behind the analysis of data provided by the Companies Office and director Fleur Revell says consumers opting for a digital alternative over traditional means of reading is an increasing trend.
“The last three years have seen a steady increase of bookstore closures throughout the country, with 46 closing in 2011; 50 in 2012; and 68 in 2013,” she says.
A follow-up survey revealed alarming information regarding literacy rates, with more than half of New Zealanders indicating in the study they believe increased levels of digital media consumption will have a negative impact on literacy levels.
Ms Revell says even the 18-24 year olds who have grown up in a digitally-savvy world are concerned, with 47% believing the increasing digital trend will have a negative result.
Despite this, the uptake of reading online newspapers and magazines was high, with 70% of New Zealanders having read a digital version of a newspaper online or via a smartphone or tablet app in the past year.
Ms Revell says New Zealanders may be worried about literacy, but it’s clearly not stopping them from using their smartphones, tablets, e-readers and computers to consume books, news and magazine content.
She adds one in five of those surveyed intend to read online newspapers even more in the next year.
Jason Walls
Mon, 05 Jan 2015
Mon, 05 Jan 2015
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New Zealanders move away from books, opting for digital media alternatives
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