The Russian book market is projected to end the year with positive figures in terms of revenue. According to the Book Union of Russia, sales of printed books are expected to reach a total of between 107,000 and 110,000 billion rubles (approximately 1.3 billion dollars), representing an increase of 10–12% compared to the previous year. Despite this growth in monetary income, the sector is facing a structural transformation due to the decline in the circulation of physical copies and the closure of traditional commercial establishments, as reported by the Argentine News Agency. Sergei Stepashin, head of the entity, highlighted that while paper maintains its economic relevance, digital formats already represent almost a quarter of the total market. The report detailed an ambivalent situation for the Russian publishing industry, marked by digitalization and the crisis of in-person retail: Closure of bookstores: In the last two years, 286 bookstores have closed, which implies an 11.3 percent reduction in the country's infrastructure. Digital formats: E-books and audiobooks continue to gain ground, consolidating as a preferred option for new consumption habits. Printed circulation: The number of printed copies is estimated to fall by 3 percent, standing at around 226 million copies. Stepashin emphasized that the growth in billing remains firm 'despite the challenges facing traditional retail trade', reflecting the sector's resilience to the economic and technological changes Russia is undergoing at the end of this year.
