Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $1.4bn in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Online media has been detrimental to wholesalers
- The rise in online shopping and the availability of free content have slashed retail sales of physical print materials, such as books, magazines and periodicals. Enhanced online reading options make printed books and magazines less appealing.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Digitalisation trends will continue to erode revenue
- The future of print media will continue shrinking as digital platforms and online content become more favoured. Traditionally engaged businesses venturing into the online market will add to the competition, leading to lower sales and fewer orders for wholesalers.
Biggest companies in the Book and Magazine Wholesaling in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Are Media | 180.2 | |
Penguin Random House Australia | 25.2 | |
Brumby Sunstate Books Pty Ltd | 19.2 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 3 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Magazines and other periodicals, Books and Newspapers. Magazines and other periodicals is the largest segment of the Book and Magazine Wholesaling in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Digital reading is restricting demand for physical books
- Books can be segmented into two main categories: general books, like novels, which occupy a significantly larger market share and educational books, typically sold to academic institutions.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in the industry wholesale books, newspapers and periodicals (including consumer magazines). Book and magazine wholesalers distribute publications to retailers and the professional sectors (book clubs, mail order companies, higher education institutions and libraries), generally with minimal or no further development and processing of the product. Industry revenue includes both the cover price and distribution fee of goods sold.
What's included in this industry?
Magazines and other periodicalsBooksNewspapersCompanies
Are MediaPenguin Random House AustraliaBrumby Sunstate Books Pty LtdPurchase this report to view all 3 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
WHOLESALE BYPASSEBOOKEREADERIndustry Code
ANZSIC 3735 - Book and Magazine Wholesaling in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The surge in online media has detrimentally affected physical book and magazine sales. Ease of access and cost-effectiveness of digital materials have led to decreasing circu...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
The rise of digital reading is negatively impacting book wholesaling revenue, including general and educational books. This is primarily due to younger demographics favouring...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Access to downstream markets influences the geographic distribution of book and magazine wholesalers. Over 80% of these wholesalers are located in the populous eastern states...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Competitiveness revolves around pricing, product range, reputation and efficient order processing. Like Are Media Limited did, wholesalers can secure a strong market position...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Are Media expanded into the magazine wholesaling sector through its acquisition of Ovato Retail Distribution (ORD). Originally trading as Gordan & Gotch, ORD's origins date b...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Are Media's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Penguin Random House Australia's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Brumby Sunstate Books Pty Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Are Media, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Penguin Random House Australia, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Brumby Sunstate Books Pty Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Australia's Copyright Act 1968 protects local publishers. Under current legislation, a book must be released in Australia within 14 days its overseas publication.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit margins for book and magazine wholesalers have climbed. Yet, results have been significantly skewed following a spike in demand at the height of the pandemic.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia is $1.4bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Book and Magazine Wholesaling in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 280 businesses in the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.8 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia has been declining at a CAGR of 2.4 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Book and Magazine Wholesaling market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Book and Magazine Wholesaling market in Australia are Are Media, Penguin Random House Australia and Brumby Sunstate Books Pty Ltd
What does the Book and Magazine Wholesaling in Australia include?
Magazines and other periodicals and Books are part of the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Book and Magazine Wholesaling in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Are Media.
How competitive is the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia?
The level of competition is moderate and steady in the Book and Magazine Wholesaling industry in Australia.
Related Industries
Widen your competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Internet Publishing and Broadcasting in Australia
Complementors
- Newspaper Publishing in Australia
- Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia
- Book Publishing in Australia
- Paper Product Wholesaling in Australia
International industries
- Book, Magazine & Newspaper Wholesaling in the US
- Book Publishing in the US
- Book Publishing in Canada
- Newspaper Publishing in Canada
- Magazine and Book Publishing in New Zealand
View all industries in Australia
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
