Kobo deal with Independent bookstores

[Davidsc]

Kobo has recently entered into an arrangement with (some) independent bookstores, in the U.S. at least. The independent bookstores will now sell Kobos and will earn something anytime a customer buys an ebook to read on his/her new Kobo.

Does anyone know how much indie bookstores will earn on the sale of ebooks?

[Lily7]

I bought my Kobo Glo from Powells.com. When you go to their eBook section, there is a link to sign up for a free Kobo account, with a note below it stating that "(By creating your Kobo account using the link above, ebooks that you purchase through Kobo will support Powell's Books.)" So apparently they will get a percentage of eBooks bought via Kobo, but it doesn't say how much.

[0x55]

When Kobos were first rolled out at Powell's, they had a staffed kiosk at the Burnside store. I asked the rep for specifics about how Powell's was "supported," but he didn't seem to want to discuss this. There was an implication that the amount varied, and that discount codes radically reduced the share, but no substantial answer.

Speaking of Powell's, I've been wondering why their website isn't better integrated with Kobo's. When Powell's was selling ebooks via Google, the experience was seamless. Now, there's no link between Powell's and Kobo at the individual book level. Signing in at kobobooks.com shows a Powell's Books banner, which is cool, but you take it on faith that Powell's is supported.

Assuming website integration is even in development, there are certainly lots of technical hurdles to overcome. As a dedicated Powell's customer who's almost fully converted to e-reading, I'd really like to buy from the Powell's site – it's much more appealing than Kobo's. But since Powell's has effectively outsourced ebook sales to Kobo (understandable given Google's move and Nook/Kindle dominance), which website I'm on just warm fuzzy loyalty.

[owly]

The English bookshop in Sweden http://www.bookshop.se/ has a deal with Kobo.