Used Book Sales Statistics

As of 2022, the market for second-hand books is at a net value of $24.03 billion.
This shows a year-on-year growth of 5.5% from $22.78 billion.
According to projections, the market is expected to reach $45.53 billion at the end of 2032.
North America has a market share of 27.8% ($6.68 billion) within the global second hand books market as of 2022.
63% ($15.14 billion) of the second-hand books industry globally is within the adult segment.
41.6% ($10 billion) is estimated to be within the children’s segment.
Across the book publishers market globally, second hand books held a share value of 15% as of 2020.
For consumers who are either interested in or have purchased used items, books (81%) are more popular than fashion items (74%).
Consumers look to used books due to their lower price (92%) or for environmental reasons (83%).
As of 2016, 70% of students purchased used books instead of brand new copies.

Used book sales by region

More than half of consumers within the US & UK choose to buy more second-hand than new books.
As of 2022, North America’s market share within the global second hand books market is 27.8%.
Europe holds a market share of 25.1% globally within the second-hand books market.
For the same market, East Asia holds a market share of 16.3% globally.
At a slightly lower rate, South Asia holds a global market share of 15%.
With an increased focus on education and literacy, the Asian market regions could increase their global market share.

#	Title	Author	Year published	Pages
1	The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People	Stephen R. Covey	1989	432
2	To Kill a Mockingbird	Harper Lee	1960	336
3	The Great Gatsby	F. Scott Fitzgerald	1925	110
4	Their Eyes Were Watching God	Zora Neale Hurston	1937	219
5	The Catcher in the Rye	J.D. Salinger	1951	234
6	The Five Love Languages	Gary Chapman	1992	208
7	The Kite Runner	Khaled Hosseini	2003	400
8	Night	Elie Wiesel	1956	120
9	Lord of the Flies	William Golding	1954	224
10	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows	J.K. Rowling	2007	607

Publishers have started to introduce electronic codes to prevent students from reselling their books.
The codes give users access to ebook versions for a given time period.
Once used, the code cannot be redeemed again.
By encouraging students to rent instead of buying books, it places limitations on the supplies of used-books.
In September, campus stores look to stock new books at much higher prices than those available second-hand.
However, at the end of a term, students will often look to sell their books, increasing the supply of used books and lowering fees.

Used book sales are increasing due to an increased focus on education and literacy around the globe in recent years.
This results in an increase in the overall number of readers, creating a greater demand for used books.

Often the most valuable used books are classic literature first edition publications.

Used textbooks are more popular with students as they are much cheaper than new books.
Used textbooks allow students to participate in essential course activities that rely on the publication.