Blackwell’s and Jellybooks prep digital tools for booksellers
Blackwell’s and Jellybooks have received a grant from Innovate UK to create a cloud-based platform enabling booksellers to feature samples online.
The objective is to provide independent shops with digital tools that support better book discovery and wider online retailing choice for consumers.
The preview functionality will be freely available to booksellers in the UK and Ireland for integration into their webpages, email newsletters and social media. It will open to readers in January.
Kieron Smith, Digital Director at Blackwell’s, comments “We’re excited to be a part of this project which we believe can add value for all UK booksellers, whether offering book preview on their websites or by using a QR code on their bookshelves or in their windows.”
“This offers a fantastic way for customers to discover new titles. We are looking forward to launching it on Blackwells.co.uk as soon as we can.”
Andrew Rhomberg, CEO at Jellybooks, comments “Having worked with book publishers for many years, we are excited about joining up with booksellers across the country and helping them engage readers digitally in new ways that will sell books both in print and digital format, online, as well as on the high street.”
“The current project is phase one of a larger project to provide data smart and AI-powered book discovery and audience engagement tools that are open to anyone in the book sector without creating a walled garden.”
Booksellers and publishers interested in joining the initiative can find more information and pre-register here.
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