HarperCollins Announces New Bookstore Development Program for Independent Retail Accounts

Program includes extra discount, ABA membership dues grant, and Above the Treeline fees grant

On Thursday, May 12, at BookExpo America, HarperCollins Publishers announced a “New Bookstore Development Program” for independent booksellers in the U.S. who are opening new stores or expanding to additional locations.

Starting July 1, 2016, qualifying stores will be eligible for additional discounts in the form of market development and fixture funds on orders placed prior to opening and for the first three months of operation. In addition, HarperCollins will provide grants towards American Booksellers Association membership dues and three months of Above the Treeline fees.

“Local independent bookstores play a significant role in community life around the nation and there is definitely room for many more of them,” said Josh Marwell, president of sales, HarperCollins Publishers. “We want to do everything we reasonably can to encourage such growth, especially in the critical early days of a new store’s life.”

ABA CEO Oren Teicher said, “We are grateful to our friends at HarperCollins for recognizing the role independent bookstores play in their communities and for helping to make it easier for additional stores to be opened. While our market has shown surprising strength these past few years, there remain many under-served communities all across the country and we hope programs like Harper’s will help fill the gaps.”

For additional information on the New Bookstore Development Program, stores should contact their HarperCollins sales rep or [email protected].