Kobo Integration Begins, eReaders Start to Ship

This week, the American Booksellers Association announced important updates regarding the rollout of the ABA/Kobo eBook solution [1], which is being launched in partnership with the Ingram Content Group [2].

The Kobo Glo and Mini e-ink eReaders and related accessories have begun to ship from Ingram’s LaVergne, Tennessee, distribution center. The first eReaders and accessories are being shipped to participating stores in the Western states and are expected to arrive at all bookstores by November 1.

Participating stores will learn more about the technology integration and the links to sell eBooks through individual e-mails that will be sent within the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, stores are invited to revisit BookWeb’s Kobo Bookseller Resource page [3] to see a substantial amount of new information added earlier today.

The technical integration will allow customers to establish Kobo accounts that link their purchases to a specific store, which will create a revenue share on that customer’s purchases for the bookstore. In addition, the work will integrate Kobo’s eBook catalog into a customer’s online search results for all stores using the IndieCommerce platform.

More than 400 ABA member bookstores are currently participating in the ABA/Kobo program. By having signed up before the October 20 launch deadline, they are receiving a number of incentives. However, all ABA member bookstores can still sign on to sell Kobo eReaders and eBooks, or simply eBooks from the Kobo catalog.

ABA member stores already in the program should be alert to informational updates coming from ABA’s Kobo team via e-mail and Bookselling This Week. Specific questions can be addressed to ABA Director of Member Technology Neil Strandberg at neil@bookweb.org [4] or to kobo@bookweb.org [5].