PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1706856
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1706856
Second-hand books are those that have been owned and used by someone else before being resold or redistributed. These books are usually offered at a reduced price compared to new ones and can cover a broad spectrum of genres, formats, and conditions, from popular fiction and textbooks to rare and antique editions.
The categories of second-hand books include action and adventure, art, music, film, photography, academic texts, biographies, comics, crafts, home and lifestyle, fantasy, horror, science fiction, health, personal development, politics, religion, sciences, technology, and medicine. Action and adventure books feature thrilling and often perilous scenarios with heroes embarking on daring quests. These stories are known for their fast-paced narratives, physical challenges, and a heightened sense of urgency. Prices vary across mass, economy, and premium ranges. Sales channels include wholesalers or distributors, hypermarkets or supermarkets, specialty stores, multi-brand stores, independent bookstores, and online retailers. The books cater to both adults and children.
The second hand books market research report is one of a series of new reports from the business research company that provides second hand books market statistics, including second hand books industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an second hand books market share, detailed second hand books market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the second hand books industry. This second hand books market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The second hand books market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $25.32 billion in 2024 to $27.13 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased consumer interest in affordable reading materials, rising environmental awareness promoting reuse and recycling, the expansion of literacy programs and educational initiatives, economic factors influencing consumer spending on books, and rising education costs.
The second hand books market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $35.39 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing value placed on unique and vintage books, changing consumer preferences, the expansion of global markets, cross-border trade, and the and the popularity of reading clubs and communities. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements, adoption of digital learning materials, increased use of digital libraries, innovation in logistics and shipping solutions, and digital marketplaces.
The increasing number of readers is anticipated to drive growth in the second-hand book market. This rise in readership is fueled by the widespread availability and convenience of digital books via e-readers, smartphones, and tablets, alongside an expanded range of genres and topics in literature that attract a diverse audience. Additionally, global literacy programs and educational initiatives further boost reader populations. Second-hand books offer an affordable way to access a broad selection of literature, promote sustainability through reuse, and allow readers to explore various genres and authors without a significant financial burden. For example, a survey conducted by THGM Writing Services in January 2023, involving 945 book readers, revealed that in 2022, 27% of respondents read more than 20 books, and 32% read between one and five books. Looking forward to 2023, 64% of readers planned to increase their book consumption compared to 2022. Consequently, the growing number of readers is expected to spur growth in the second-hand book market.
Leading companies in the second-hand book market are adopting strategic partnerships to expand their market reach and improve service offerings. A strategic partnership involves a cooperative relationship between two or more organizations, pooling their resources, expertise, and efforts to achieve shared goals or objectives. For example, in October 2023, WH Smith, a UK-based retailer specializing in books, stationery, and travel essentials, formed a partnership with Zeercle, a UK-based technology-driven company focused on book buy-back and resale services, to launch the BookCycle scheme. This buy-back initiative enables customers to exchange unwanted books for e-gift cards. Through online registration, customers can scan their books, which are then assessed based on condition, popularity, and market demand to determine their trade-in value. After valuation, customers can drop off their books at participating WH Smith locations to receive e-gift cards for future purchases. The scheme supports sustainability by reselling most traded-in books at discounted prices and responsibly recycling those that cannot be resold.
In October 2023, BibliU, a UK-based education technology company, acquired Texas Book Company for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition supports BibliU's mission by expanding its delivery models, geographic reach, and technological capabilities while maintaining high customer service standards. It enhances BibliU's 'digital-first universal learning' approach, providing affordable and immediate access to educational materials for college students. Texas Book Company, based in the US, supplies educational materials and second-hand books to schools, colleges, and bookstores.
Major companies operating in the second hand books market are Amazon.com Inc., eBay Inc., Half Price Books Records Magazines Incorporated, Chegg Inc., Powell's Books Inc., World of Books Group, Better World Books, Thrift Books Global LLC, Gumtree.com Limited, Crossword Bookstores Limited, Valore Inc. (ValoreBooks), TextbookRush, Alibris Inc., Decluttr Limited, AbeBooks Inc., Strand Book Store Inc., StudentVIP, BookMooch, Biblio.com, PaperbackSwap.com, BookScouter, BookChor Literary Solutions Private Limited, UsedBooksFactory, Kitabay, BooksRun
North America was the largest region in the second hand books market in 2024. The regions covered in the second hand books market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the second hand books market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The second hand books market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as logistics and shipping services, inventory management services, payment processing services, book appraisal and grading services, systems design services, and information distribution technologies. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Second Hand Books Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on second hand books market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for second hand books ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The second hand books market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.