THE COOKBOOK SEASON

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The race for selling cookbooks is very crowded: there is an increasing number of titles for shorter selling seasons.

Awards are one of the best keys to success.

Christmas is the best time to sell cookbooks. In July 2004, Publishing News said that in Great Britain, 25% of cookbooks are sold at Christmas. When are the other 75% sold?

According to a survey done worldwide on global internet sales for the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards, for consumers there are three seasons for cookbooks:

   * October-December (3 months)  43%  of sales

   * January-April     (4 months)  41,5% of sales

   * May-September   (5 months)  15,5% of sales

December is the best month worldwide, with an average 26% of sales. The strength of the 4 months from January from April is impressive. The weak season is very long, from May to September. Actually, the good season is more spread out than anticipated,

and the bad season is worst than expected.

October is better in English speaking countries. In all other markets, October is less than average as gifts are purchased closer to Christmas. There are apparently major cultural differences in gifts purchases, but Christmas is growing everywhere against other traditional dates.

In Asia, for the new year or other similar days, in Europe for Saint Nicolas day on December 6, or in some Spanish speaking countries for the Epiphany on January 6, there are less and less gifts, and more and more given on Christmas Day.

For most cookbook publishers around the world, September is early to launch new books. On the other hand, there is very strong competition to be featured in magazines and other media in November. Publishers are aware of the new trends in cookbooks retailing. In France 40% more cookbooks were launched in the first months of 2004 than in the corresponding period of 2003.

There are over 24.000 cookbook titles published every year, with a strong trend for increase. Most are published at the same time, as they target the end of the year gift season. It is becoming extremely difficult for cookbooks to be reviewed.

As critic James Wood said in New York Magazine (June 21, 2004), "book prizes function the way book reviews used to, directing readers to books worth buying". This is the purpose of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2004

THIS IS THE TENTH YEAR

                              ENTRY IS FREE

In 2003, over 4.000 books were received, from 60 countries. We organized 53 national or regional competitions. After Barcelona, our Best in the World Gala Dinners for the next three years will take place in Madrid, Quebec and Grythyttan, Sweden.

You can download entry forms on
www.cookbookfair.com <http://www.cookbookfair.com>

For information:

Edouard Cointreau

Gourmand International

Pintor Rosales 36

28008 Madrid - SPAIN

Fax: +34 91 541 68 21

Email: brigitte@gourmandbooks.com

www.cookbookfair.com <http://www.cookbookfair.com>

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