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are they basing the sales numbers on NEW retail sales only? If not then I bet the demographics of USED book sales is different by a significant amount. Younger readers in that 15-25yr old range cannot afford new books like once you get your feet under you more. What does it mean if they are not considering used book purchases, including from used stores, yard sales, thrift shops...etc...there is a big segment of readers in that area...if you can buy 100 books/yr , read them then re-donate them back and get even a small tax deduction (or not as we aren't talking a lot of money there) but readers in this category recycle their libraries often in order to at least partially fund additional book purchases. Online book sellers really need to look at this demographic. I think Sony has with their "find a library" feature...others need to give more attention because the used market is a HUGE amount of lost sales to publishers.
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