HarperCollins Launches Backlist Program

Last week, HarperCollins Publishers announced the launch of HarperCollins Essential Backlist, a new program that will reward bookstores for keeping a designated level of HarperCollins bestselling backlist titles in stock at all times.

Josh Marwell, president of sales for HarperCollins, said the company launched the program -- which will incorporate an online inventory tool to help booksellers manage this backlist inventory -- to make it easier for booksellers to handle one of the most challenging parts of the business. "Essential Backlist can make what is a time-consuming process happen more quickly," he said, and will help booksellers "increase revenue and maximize turn."

To participate in the program, a bookseller -- by using the online tool and working with their Harper rep -- must maintain a specific percentage of adult or children's bestselling backlist titles, depending on store size. In turn, the participant will earn a rebate on all direct shipments of the titles. Participants choose the titles from a list provided by HarperCollins.

Marwell explained, "There will be participation [available] at different levels." If a participant carries 25 percent of the list, they will earn an additional half-point rebate; carrying 55 percent of the list earns the bookseller an additional point; and carrying 75 percent of the list earns the bookseller an additional point-and-a-half rebate. The publisher believes these various levels of participation will make it easy for bookstores of all sizes to join.

For the program, HarperCollins has partnered with Above the Treeline, the web tool that helps booksellers manage inventory turn, to develop the interactive website, www.essentialbacklist.com, which will be a key part of the program. Three times a year, participating booksellers will be required to visit the site to upload their inventory -- using the online tool to verify that they are maintaining the appropriate backlist level. HarperCollins will run all the reports and do all the calculations to determine a store's rebate.

Marwell noted that, while the program is open to all bookstores, "it might be especially appealing to independents." HarperCollins is currently beta testing the interactive website and expects it to be live the week of September 26.

For more information on the program, booksellers can contact their sales rep, e-mail [email protected], or call Annette Hughes at (212) 207-7768.