Spotify is preparing a new way to sell books, this time in print. The company plans to let premium users in the US and UK buy physical books directly through the Spotify app. The move builds on its audiobook push and adds another revenue stream tied to reading and publishing.
The plan centers on a partnership with Bookshop.org, a platform known for supporting independent bookstores. Spotify already works with Bookshop.org on audiobooks. Now, that relationship is expanding to cover hardcovers and paperbacks. Spotify expects the change to benefit both the company and local bookstores.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the rollout will begin this spring. Premium subscribers in the US and UK will see options to buy physical books inside the app. Bookshop.org will manage pricing, inventory, and order fulfillment, while sharing part of its profits with independent bookstores.
“Beginning this spring, the Swedish streaming service will allow premium subscribers in the U.S. and U.K. to buy hardcovers and paperbacks through its app, in partnership with Bookshop.org.”
Spotify’s interest in books is not new. The company first expanded beyond music with podcasts and later moved into audiobooks. At launch, its audiobook catalog included more than 300,000 titles from major and independent publishers in the US. Users can search for audiobooks in the app, complete the purchase on a web page, and then return to Spotify to listen online or offline.
Selling physical books follows the same pattern of expansion. Spotify will not handle shipping or storage. Instead, Bookshop.org will take care of those tasks while Spotify focuses on discovery and access inside its app.
For Spotify, the move keeps users engaged in one place. For indie bookstores, it offers exposure through a global platform without giving up control over sales and fulfillment.
