Central Europe Considers Fixed Book Price Laws Amid Reading Decline

The Polish Chamber of Books (PIK), representing publishers, booksellers, and printers, warned in a statement issued in 2024 that Poland's book market is in a “dire” situation. They highlighted that low reading rates and the influence of large distribution companies have caused a serious decline in independent bookstores. According to PIK, “several hundred bookstores” have closed over the past five years, adversely affecting readers’ access to books, the financial health of publishers, and the overall “quality of content” available in Poland. In response, PIK is once again advocating for fixed book prices, a model already adopted by several key European markets.

The Polish Ministry of Culture and National Heritage has begun drafting legislation for fixed book prices, with proposals set to advance in late 2025. This draft law aims to establish fixed pricing for new books for a 12-month period, require sales data reporting to Statistics Poland, cap wholesale discounts at 45%, and prevent distributors from charging additional fees to local publishers. This proposal has gained significant attention in the Central European publishing community.

Supporters, including PIK, argue that such measures could protect small bookstores from competition with larger chains. However, the proposal faces opposition from major retailers as well as the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) in Poland, which has expressed concerns that it may harm market competition.

Despite these challenges, the National Library of Poland recently reported stabilization in book readership, though advocates like Agata Diduszko-Żyglewska, an advisor to the Polish Culture Minister, stress the importance of protecting the book market from oligopolization and its harmful effects on authors, publishers, and booksellers.

If successful, Poland would join at least 14 European countries with fixed book price laws, including Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. In some cases, like Norway, fixed prices are maintained through industry agreements rather than legislation.

The discussion about fixed book prices in Poland is drawing attention from neighboring countries. In Bulgaria, where the fixed price system is not yet introduced, there remains a division among publishers regarding the policy. Monica Dimitrova of the Next Page Foundation noted that while some publishers refuse to discount books, others regularly offer discounts, leading to varied market perceptions about books as cultural goods versus commodities.

Dimitrova suggested that fixed prices could enhance cultural diversity and support independent bookstores, but emphasized the need for a clear vision for the Bulgarian book market.

In the Czech Republic, the fixed book price debate has also created a divide, with smaller publishers supporting it while larger ones do not. As the country focuses on the protection of local bookstores, discussions continue without any fixed pricing law yet advancing.

All eyes are now on Poland as it moves forward with its proposed fixed book price law, a potential turning point for the Central European publishing industry.