More and more texts are perceived in non-literary formats.
The total circulation of books and brochures in Russia for the first quarter of 2026 amounted to 57.3 million copies, which is 26.03% lower than the figures for the same period last year. Experts in the book industry also noted a record decline in book sales in bookstores in copies this year — by 18.8%.
The President of the Association of Book Distributors, Svetlana Zorina, reported that the imbalance between sales channels is growing annually. Thus, the share of sales from marketplaces accounted for 57% of the total market for printed books, while the share of bookstores decreased to 34% by the end of 2025.
The turnover of offline retail at the end of last year amounted to 36.9 billion rubles — the lowest figure in the last seven years. In addition, the president of the AKCR noted that in the first quarter of this year, a record decline in unit sales of books in bookstores was recorded — 18.8% less compared to the same period last year.
Among the main reasons for the current situation, experts in the book industry noted the decline in purchasing power, price dumping by marketplaces, and an increase in the tax base. "We are witnessing a deep crisis of bookstores in Russia. And this is a serious infrastructure problem for the industry as a whole," Zorina added.
The main reason why people are refusing to buy printed books is their high cost (retail prices have risen by almost 20%) and the widespread availability of digital formats (e-books, audio versions, pirate sites).
Among other key reasons, the following can be highlighted
Competition for attention. Users prefer to spend their free time on streaming services, social networks, or video games, as they require less mental effort.
Transition to digital devices. E-readers and smartphones are more compact, do not take up space in apartments, and can hold entire libraries.
Lack of time. The modern pace of life forces many to switch to short texts (articles, blogs, Telegram posts).
The problem of "disposable" texts. Many works are not worth rereading, so buyers consider spending on a printed version unreasonable.
