According to data collected from the Canadian Book Consumer Study 2021, Business books were among the top five Popular Non-Fiction genres purchased in 2021. In the US, Business & Economics books were the second-largest adult Non-Fiction subject. How have Business & Economics titles been performing in the Canadian market so far this year? In this instalment of our Subject spotlight series, we share insights into the sales and library circulation of Business & Economics titles in the fourth quarter of 2022, with the help of our SalesData and LibraryData services.
Buying Non-Fiction / Business & Economics
Compared to 2021, the overall sales of Business & Economics titles were down 24% over the entire fourth quarter. Looking at the graph below, sales of Business & Economics titles trended up during the fourth quarter for both 2022 and 2021. From October to December 2022, sales of Business & Economics titles increased by 110%. Sales of Business & Economics titles increased by 186% in the fourth quarter of 2021.
These are the BISAC subcategories with the highest year-over-year increase in sales :
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Workplace Harassment & Discrimination — up 3,525%;
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Research & Development — up 617%; and
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Museum Administration & Museology — up 409%.
From October to December 2022, the most purchased Non-Fiction / Business & Economics subcategories were:
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Organizational Behavior — 14% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics sales;
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Personal Finance — 12% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics sales; and
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Motivational — 7% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics sales.
Borrowing Non-Fiction / Business & Economics
When it comes to borrowing, 2022 was a better year for the library circulation of Business & Economics titles compared to 2021. From October to December 2022, library loans and renewals of Business & Economics titles were up 39% and 61% respectively from 2021.
In the entire fourth quarter of 2022, loans increased by 92% and renewals increased by 127% for Business & Economics titles. From October to December 2021, loans and renewals increased by 8% and 22% respectively.
Which Non-Fiction / Business & Economics BISAC subcategories were the most popular in Canadian libraries? From October to December 2022, these subcategories saw the greatest increases in library circulation compared to 2021:
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Inflation — loans up 3,650% and renewals up 2,300%;
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Research & Development — loans up 463% and renewals up 2,350%; and
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Public Relations — loans up 178% and renewals up 1,267%.
During the fourth quarter of 2022, the most circulated Non-Fiction / Business & Economics subcategories were:
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Personal Finance — 16% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics loans and 15% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics renewals;
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Leadership — 6% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics loans and 7% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics renewals; and
Non-Fiction / Business & Economics / Careers — 4% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics loans and 6% of all Non-Fiction / Business & Economics renewals.
Reading Non-Fiction / Business & Economics
Here are the top selling and top borrowed Non-Fiction / Business & Economics titles from the fourth quarter of 2022.
Top borrowed
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Think Again by Adam Grant
Top selling
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
Discipline Is Destiny by Ryan Holiday
The LEGO Story by Jens Andersen
Until next time!
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A deep dive into book prices in Canada from our upcoming Canadian Book Consumer Study 2023.