The Hub of a Global Book Industry – The London Book Fair

The Hub of a Global Book Industry – The London Book Fair

We recently had the chance to attend the 2016 London Book Fair, the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content. Celebrating its 45th year, the book fair brought together thousands of professionals from all across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels, to inspire and be inspired by the progression of the industry.

London Book Fair

The RMH Logistics team took a trip to the Olympia stadium in the heart of west London, to meet other professionals invested in the creation, distribution and sale of content around the globe. We are a global distributor and logistical provider for books and print, so we were delighted to attend the event and find out more about the worldwide opportunities for publishers and distributors alike.

The London Book Fair, held over the 12th-14th April, represents the book industry in its entirety, from the smallest independent publishers to major houses. We had the chance to celebrate the works of hit novels, to illustrated works, children’s literature and academic texts. The sheer volume and variety of exhibitors and those involved in the fair gave us exciting insights into where it’s heading and what we should expect from the future of content.

Where is the book industry headed?

Opening the fair its director Jacks Thomas, reported that the market for print is seeing a positive rise, in the UK and beyond. Looking at 2015 statistics, print sales were up 4%, influenced by strong sales of children’s and young adult books. In addition, consumer book purchases were up a solid 5% in the UK – a step forward in the right direction for the industry.

The London Book Fair, as the global creative hub for all things content, also held its own International Excellence Awards in association with the Publishers Association, recognising the international achievements in the book trade. Now it’s easier than ever for books to be shipped and distributed overseas, anywhere in the world, so the value of international book trade for a UK audience is becoming increasingly more apparent.

Creating bespoke logistical solutions for clients in the publishing and printing sectors, we‘re dedicated to understanding our clients’ needs in the demanding climate. Our team want to work with publishers as the book industry progresses, to help them find the best solution and get their works seen wherever they require. If you’d like to find out more about our global shipping and logistical services, or to discuss your individual requirements, please feel free to contact us on (0)1277 356218 or email operations@rmhlogistics.com.