ABACUS: 2007 Data Gathering Begins, 2006 Review Online

The American Booksellers Association is now collecting data from member booksellers for the 2007 ABACUS survey through an enhanced web form. Coinciding with the launch of the new survey form, ABA has made available to member booksellers the 2006 ABACUS Review, which ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz presented at the ABACUS Lunch at last month's Winter Institute.

"The information provided by the ABACUS study is an essential tool that booksellers can use to evaluate and improve their stores' financial performance," said Domnitz. "We strongly urge booksellers to participate, as the more stores that submit data, the stronger and more useful the results of the survey will be." Since we are in the midst of tax season, Domnitz noted, "It is the perfect time to submit the store's financial data."

The closing date for booksellers to submit data for this year's survey is August 15, 2007. Booksellers who submit completed surveys by that date will receive a $50 rebate off their ABA dues.

Domnitz urged booksellers to submit their information as soon they can. "We want to be able to get reports back to booksellers quickly, and receiving a wave of surveys right before the closing date really impairs our ability to do that," he explained.

To make it easier for booksellers to participate this year, the ABACUS survey now allows users to download an Excel spreadsheet that they can use to organize the information from their financial statements so that it matches the categories on the ABACUS form.

Another change to this year's survey is the addition of a new expense category: data processing expenses. With this category, ABACUS seeks to capture how much stores spend on their POS and other computer systems, including software licensing, maintenance, support fees, and equipment.

With 286 ABA member bookstores -- representing 317 locations and approximately $400 million in sales -- submitting data to the 2006 survey (compared to 278 the previous year), the ABACUS study has set a clear standard against which each store's financial results can be measured, providing participants, as well as the bookselling community as a whole, with invaluable information.

For most booksellers, completing the survey takes no more than an hour or so, and all information provided is kept strictly confidential.

Questions about the ABACUS study should be directed to David Walker at [email protected] or (800) 637-0037, ext. 6612.