Dymocks makes way for e-books

Dymocks launches digital books but maintains it is still committed to print.

"Customers value the printed book and so do we," said CEO Don Grover (pictured below). "This is all about convenience and it supports customers like those who are travelling or have poor eyesight."

The digital offerings include 13 000 audible titles and 120 000 readable titles, spanning most genres and categories. Three years in the making, Grover said that the launch expanded Dymocks' presence outside of the retail context and gives readers the chance to access and download titles without needing to leave home.

"We saw a real opportunity for a bricks and mortar retail business to get into the virtual books space," he said. "We wanted to evolve into other channels and make them a seamless part of our business."

The Dymocks Sydney CBD store has been equipped with touch screen kiosks (pictured below), allowing customers to access information about what books can be found in the store and the availability of digital and audio book titles that they can download.

Grover expects other stores across Australia to follow suit. "I see a kiosk in every store," he said.

Printed book sales are still strong, but Grover was optimistic about the promising sales of the new digital books. "We have already recorded sales into the hundreds, so clearly people are buying them," he said.