• BookScan's Future of Books report forecasts stable book sales over the next three years, even with economic uncertainty.
• Consumers are prioritizing books as an affordable luxury, leading to increased engagement and sales.
• Adult fiction, particularly romance, is projected to be the strongest segment, while kids' fiction faces challenges in 2025.

BookScan's biannual Future of Books report offers a positive outlook for the book market, predicting resilience in the face of economic challenges like tariffs and declining consumer confidence. The report combines point-of-sale data with consumer insights to forecast sales trends over the next three years. According to BookScan analyst Brenna Connor, the U.S. book market is expected to remain stable and vibrant, building on the growth experienced in 2024.

• What: BookScan's Future of Books report forecasts stable book sales for the next three years, even amidst economic challenges.
• Who: BookScan, Brenna Connor (BookScan analyst), publishers, retailers, and consumers.
• When: The report focuses on the next three years, starting from 2025. The report was released around May 8, 2025 (according to the original article's date).
• Where: The focus is on the U.S. book market.

The BookScan report suggests a degree of resilience in the book market that defies broader economic trends. Consumers are seemingly prioritizing books as a form of affordable entertainment and self-care during times of economic stress, explaining the forecasted stability. The report's emphasis on adult fiction, particularly romance, highlights the potential for publishers to capitalize on these consumer preferences. However, the challenges facing kids' fiction suggest a need for publishers to adapt their strategies in that segment.

During times of economic stress, consumers are more likely to pull back spend on higher-ticket items, like technology and apparel, and favor items that they see as having a high perceived value, like books.

Some consumers may put off buying a high-priced item like a new patio set or the newest headphones, but they will buy the new Kristin Hannah—a more affordable luxury.

The BookScan Future of Books report paints a promising picture for the book market, forecasting stable sales over the next three years despite economic headwinds. Consumer prioritization of books as affordable luxuries, coupled with increased engagement among new book buyers, is expected to drive sales. While adult fiction is projected to lead, challenges remain in the kids' fiction segment, highlighting the need for strategic adaptation within the publishing industry.