As part of the various professional meetings that the FGSR organizes throughout the year in collaboration with several book industry associations, a dedicated day of presentation and debate took place to look back at and into the 2023 digital book market in Spain and the rest of the Spanish-speaking markets.
Arantza Larrauri was one of the speakers during the meeting. Larrauri has been working in the book industry for nineteen years. In 2010 she joined Libranda as Managing Director, the leading international distributor of digital books in the Spanish language. Since the integration of Libranda into the De Marque Group, she is also playing the role of Europe and LATAM market manager at the Canadian digital services company..
Larrauri presented a comprehensive report on the state of the digital book market in Spanish speaking countries, highlighting significant trends observed in 2023. The presentation covered key aspects such as market growth, distribution channels, accessibility initiatives, and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in the publishing sector.
The main conclusions are summarised in this article.
Trends in the market during 2023
The digital book market in the Spanish-speaking world has shown robust growth, which is particularly noteworthy as it continues to expand at double-digit rates even after significant periods like the pandemic. In 2023, Larrauri noted a global growth rate of 12%, estimating the market’s value at 122 million euros. Spain leads in market share, followed by Mexico and the United States, with notable growth also seen in other European and Latin American countries.
Landscape of distribution channels
The presentation emphasized the diversity of distribution channels available to consumers, promoting accessibility and choice. Larrauri outlined four main distribution groups: international platforms (dominating with a 74% share), bookstores, libraries (experiencing a remarkable 97% growth), and subscription services (growing in relevance, particularly for audiobooks).
Accessibility initiatives
Universal accessibility emerged as a critical focus, driven by European regulations mandating digital products and services to be accessible by 2025. Larrauri underscored the importance of ensuring that digital content, platforms, and applications meet international accessibility standards. Examples included efforts by distributors like Libranda to integrate accessibility features into their platforms, such as text-to-speech functionalities, DRM-protected audio players, and customizable reading formats for users with disabilities.
Integration of artificial intelligence
The presentation also explored the increasing role of AI in enhancing digital reading experiences. AI applications range from natural language processing to computer vision, enabling functionalities such as predictive analytics, sentiment analysis, and automated translations. Larrauri highlighted initiatives by companies like Comixuit, a division focusing on AI-driven technologies for comics and digital content, demonstrating AI’s potential to innovate within the publishing industry.
In summary, the presentation by Arantza Larrauri illuminated key trends shaping the Spanish digital book market, offering valuable insights for publishers, distributors, and stakeholders alike as they navigate an increasingly dynamic and technology-driven landscape.
