Toronto based company Kobo Inc., makers of the famous Kobo e-reader has signed a deal with the American Booksellers Association (ABA). The agreement will see Kobo sell its e-books and e-readers through independent U.S. book sellers America wide.
According to the WSJ, the deal replaces a similar agreement between Google Inc. and the ABA which expires in January of 2013. Google has decided not to renew due to less than stellar sales and growth figures.
Kobo will elect to have bookstores offer brick and mortar venues for the sale of their entire product experience. This includes staff training, in store support, e-readers, e-books and e-reading accessories. Beginning in October, 400 stores will launch the program with all 2,000 stores eventually falling in line.
All e-book sales generated in store will be split between Kobo and the independent bookseller, offering incentive for digital sales. It also offers these stores the ability to share in e-book sales, an industry dominated by large players such as Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and Apple.
According to TheNextWeb, the deal may be part of a growing trend in the industry. Earlier this week Barnes & Noble announced a UK partnership with retail store John Lewis to introduce their e-readers. Kobo, having been acquired by Japanese retail store Rakuten is sticking to sales in a store setting, a setting they have had tremendous success in.
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