---
title: "Data Nugget: Independent Booksellers’ Seven Years of Growth"
id: "34351"
type: "post"
slug: "data-nugget-independent-booksellers-seven-years-of-growth"
published_at: "2016-08-01T07:40:33+00:00"
modified_at: "2016-08-01T07:40:33+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/08/01/data-nugget-independent-booksellers-seven-years-of-growth/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2016/08/01/data-nugget-independent-booksellers-seven-years-of-growth.md"
excerpt: "The growth of the independent booksellers industry over a seven-year period."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Membership"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "book industry"
  - "bookstores"
  - "member growth"
  - "Membership"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "Executive Team"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Executive Leadership"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » Data Nugget: Independent Booksellers’ Seven Years of Growth

Despite predictions to the contrary, Amazon and e-reader technology have not led to the total annihilation of independent, brick-and-mortar bookstores. Membership in the American Booksellers Association, in fact, has risen for seven straight years, up 27 percent from 2009 to 2016, with store locations up even more. CEO Oren Teicher credits the “buy local” movement and efforts such as IndieCommerce, ABA’s e-commerce platform for independent bookstores, among factors contributing to its growth.

**2009:** 1,651

**2011:** 1,823

**2012:** 1,900

**2013:** 1,971

**2014:** 2,094

**2015:** 2,227

**2016:** 2,311

** No 2010 store data provided*

**Source:** American Booksellers Association

[ASAE Staff](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

Tags: [#book industry](https://associationsnow.com/tag/book-industry/)
 [#bookstores](https://associationsnow.com/tag/bookstores/)
 [#member growth](https://associationsnow.com/tag/member-growth/)
 [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/)

**Stay Informed**

[Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/)
, *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day.

## You Might Like

- [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/)
- [Video2026 Summit Awards DinnerOctober 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/02/2026-summit-awards-dinner/)
- [VideoAmerican Geophysical Union: Standing Up for Science: AGU’s Year of Action for Scientists and SocietySeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-geophysical-union-standing-up-for-science-agus-year-of-action-for-scientists-and-society/)
- [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/)

## Comments

**Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/)

[Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2016%2F08%2F01%2Fdata-nugget-independent-booksellers-seven-years-of-growth%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!
