ABACUS Deadline Next Friday

Time is running out for the 2008 ABACUS Study. Data gathering for this year's survey of independent bookstores' 2007 financial operations comes to an end on Friday, August 15, and a significant increase in ABA member participation is still needed in order to make the study a reality.

Completing the easy-to-use ABACUS Survey form takes about an hour, and in return participants receive a customized report that compares their business with other stores based on more than 20 different criteria; an executive summary of the study's key findings; key insights into the drivers of independent bookstore profitability; and year-to-year trends data. In addition, each participating ABA member receives a $50 rebate.

Data from all ABACUS participants is used in the aggregate to produce a yearly Review, available to all ABA member stores.

Past participants have found ABACUS data, which includes average industry spending-per-store across multiple categories -- such as cost of goods, rent, and staffing -- invaluable in helping them make more informed financial decisions.

All information provided to the ABACUS study is kept strictly confidential. Booksellers with questions about the survey can contact ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz or David Walker, ABA's industry consultant.