A New Feature from Spotify: How You Can Buy Printed Books from the App?
In a surprising and unexpected move, Spotify, the audio streaming giant, announced the launch of a new feature that allows users to purchase printed books directly through its app, in collaboration with Bookshop.org, a website specializing in online retail book sales.
This step represents a new expansion for the company, going beyond its known activity in audiobooks, to compete more strongly with streaming services offered by major tech companies like Apple and Amazon.
Spotify launched its audiobook service two years ago and has seen significant growth in this area, with new listeners increasing by 36% and listening hours rising by 37% compared to the previous year, according to Reuters data.
The feature for purchasing printed books will begin next spring in the United States and the United Kingdom, where Bookshop.org will handle pricing, storage, and order fulfillment, while Spotify will earn a commission on each purchase made within the app.
This announcement comes at a time when global sales of printed books are slowing down, as more users are turning to e-books and other digital resources.
In a related context, Spotify has raised its monthly premium subscription price by one dollar to $12.99 in the markets of the United States, Estonia, and Latvia.
Despite a recent 4.5% drop in the company's stock, it has recorded an increase of nearly 30% over the past year.
With this step, it seems that Spotify is not content with just music, podcasts, and audiobooks, but is looking to make the user experience more comprehensive and interactive, aiming to become a complete digital destination for both audio and reading enthusiasts.
