Supply Chain Issues Worry Publishers

“While the supply chain has held up well— consider the strong sales we’ve seen over the past year —challenges now loom,” says PW’s Andrew Albanese.

On Tuesday, the Book Industry Study Group hosted a webinar and discussion that outlined concerns for publishing’s supply chain in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Truck driver shortages, widespread port congestion, and skyrocketing container costs are among the biggest challenges facing the book industry supply chain for the rest of the year and into 2022,” according to Publishers Weekly coverage of the BISG program.

“While the supply chain has held up well— consider the strong sales we’ve seen over the past year —challenges now loom,” PW’s Andrew Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally.

“Presenters on the webinar said it’s important for publishers to recognize what is happening – not only in the book business but also across the entire economy,” Albanese says.

“Publishers were told to consider domestic digital printing, for example. Given the escalating costs of shipping and freight, domestic printing could shorten supply chains by allowing shipments directly to customers.”

Every Friday, CCC’s “Velocity of Content” speaks with the editors and reporters of “Publishers Weekly” for an early look at the news that publishers, editors, authors, agents and librarians will be talking about when they return to work on Monday.