Increase in Book Prices Experienced by Canadians in 2025
In a recent survey by BookNet Canada, it was revealed that e-book prices in Canada have seen a significant increase in 2025. The rise, which stands at approximately 13%, outpaces the increases seen in hardcover and paperback prices [1].
The factors contributing to this increase are manifold. One key factor is the rising production and import costs for physical books. Although e-books do not have physical production costs, publishers often raise e-book prices to balance their portfolio amid print sales challenges [1].
Another contributing factor is strategic publisher behaviour. Publishers may use higher e-book prices to compensate for declining print book sales or to enhance profitability as digital adoption grows [1].
Market dynamics also play a significant role. Unlike physical books, e-books rarely see price discounts after release, so price increases tend to persist over time [1].
Industry trends have been observable since at least 2012, with increasing e-book prices in Canada becoming a recurring pattern in the digital book market [1][2]. Additionally, increased e-book revenues and expanding digital formats (including audiobooks) show the growing digital market share, potentially giving publishers leverage to raise prices [3].
In terms of reader behaviour, it was found that just under half of all readers read between one and five books in 2024 (45%), while just under a third (29%) of readers read or listened to 6-11 books in the same year, up 4% over 2023 [4]. Furthermore, 27% of readers shared either the experience, the book, or a photo of the book with others in 2024, and 45% of Canadian book readers read all or part of a book aloud to another person in the same year [4].
Interestingly, the percentage of readers who prefer audiobooks continues to rise, reaching 15% in 2024 [5]. Notably, the majority of readers prefer listening to a human narrator over synthetic (AI) narration (81%) [6].
It's worth noting that some publishers, such as Tor Books, Henry Holt, and St. Martin's, have recently increased their book prices by between $3 and $7 [7]. In Indigo Books and Music bookstore, hardcover books are marked down by 20% a couple of weeks after a big book comes out, but e-books maintain their original price and tend to remain unchanged [8].
Despite these increases, more readers chose books within their budget in 2024 (46%) than they did in 2023 (44%) [9]. This suggests that while prices are rising, readers are still finding ways to access the books they love.
In summary, the 2025 e-book price increase in Canada reflects a combination of indirect cost pressures, publisher pricing strategy, and market behaviour where e-book prices remain stable post-increase, setting a rising baseline over time [1][2].
[1] BookNet Canada Survey [2] The Globe and Mail [3] Publishers Weekly [4] BookNet Canada Survey [5] BookNet Canada Survey [6] BookNet Canada Survey [7] The Toronto Star [8] Indigo Books and Music [9] BookNet Canada Survey
E-readers have become a preferred choice for many due to their convenience in carrying multiple books at once. However, this trend may encounter challenges as e-book prices continue to rise, potentially influencing the lifestyle and purchasing decisions related to food-and-drink and entertainment.
Books, especially e-books, now account for an expanding portion of the overall publishing industry revenue, hinting at a shift in reader behavior towards digital formats. As publishers leverage this growth to increase prices, the access and affordability of books may become a significant factor in shaping future reading habits and entertainment consumption patterns.
