Can a bookstore in Spain offer 10% off?

Not on new books. The fixed book price law allows at most 5 percent off the fixed price, with exceptions such as books whose last edition is at least two years old.

What prizes work for a bookstore?

Tote bags, bookmarks, free delivery and seats at author events. They reward readers without lowering the price of the book.

When should a bookstore run promotions?

Around World Book Day on April 23, back to school, summer reading, Christmas and big new releases.

Can a bookstore run a prize wheel if prices are fixed?

Yes, as long as the prizes are not price cuts on new books. Gifts, delivery and event seats work, and the budget cap keeps the cost fixed.

Promotion ideas

Promotion ideas for bookstores

Bookstores work with small margins, and in some countries the law limits how much they can discount new books. The best promotions reward readers without touching the price.

The margin you are working with

Bookshops buy from publishers at a discount off the cover price and keep the difference, which leaves little room for further discounts.

In Spain the fixed book price law (Ley 10/2007) lets a shop sell new books at no less than 95 percent of the fixed price, so a discount above 5 percent is not allowed. Other countries have similar rules; check yours.

How deep to discount

Where prices are fixed, do not use percentage prizes on new books at all. Where they are not, keep any discount small, because the margin is thin.

Older titles can be treated differently: in Spain, books whose last edition is at least two years old may be sold below the fixed price.

Prizes that are not price cuts

A tote bag, a bookmark, an invitation to an author event or free delivery all reward the reader without lowering the price of the book.

Events are the strongest prize a bookstore has: a reserved seat at a reading or a signing is something no online giant can give.

The moments that matter

World Book Day on April 23 (Sant Jordi in Catalonia), back to school, summer reading and Christmas.

New releases from popular authors are moments in themselves; a game around the launch day brings readers into the shop.

Mistakes to avoid

Offering percentage discounts on new books where the law fixes the price.

Competing on price with large online sellers. A small bookshop wins on advice, events and community.

A prize wheel for a bookstore

Prizes that reward readers without discounting the book, so they work even where book prices are fixed.

Free tote bag
Bookmark
Free delivery
Seat at an author event

Suggested chance of winning: 35% of spins land on a prize. Make the most valuable prize the rarest.

Spin this prize set Check a discount against your margin

Questions

Can a bookstore in Spain offer 10% off?: Not on new books. The fixed book price law allows at most 5 percent off the fixed price, with exceptions such as books whose last edition is at least two years old.
What prizes work for a bookstore?: Tote bags, bookmarks, free delivery and seats at author events. They reward readers without lowering the price of the book.
When should a bookstore run promotions?: Around World Book Day on April 23, back to school, summer reading, Christmas and big new releases.
Can a bookstore run a prize wheel if prices are fixed?: Yes, as long as the prizes are not price cuts on new books. Gifts, delivery and event seats work, and the budget cap keeps the cost fixed.

Run a prize wheel for your shop

DealCraft puts a prize wheel on your website or at your counter as a QR code. You choose the prizes, the chance of winning and a hard budget, and every winner gets a single-use code. The free plan gives you 200 plays a month and needs no card.

Start free