[3]Tomorrow (Friday, August 15) is the deadline for ABA member stores to submit their 2007 financial data to this year's 2008 ABACUS Study [3], and a significant increase in bookseller participation is still needed.

It's easy to complete the survey form (it takes about an hour), and in return the bookstore receives a customized report that can be used by owners and managers to make more informed business decisions [4]. The report compares the participating business with other stores based on more than 20 different criteria. It also includes an executive summary of the study's key findings; key insights into the drivers of independent bookstore profitability; and year-to-year trends data. Each participating ABA member also receives a $50 rebate.

All information provided to the ABACUS study is kept strictly confidential. Booksellers with questions about the survey can contact ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz [5] or David Walker [6], ABA's industry consultant.