Internet Commerce

Unbridled Books is partnering with the American Booksellers Association for a promotion that highlights 25 Unbridled eBooks for 25 cents. The titles, all Google eBooks™, will be available for 25 cents via IndieCommerce websites for three days, June 9 - 11.

On Friday, May 6, Hachette Book Group, Penguin Group (USA), and Simon & Schuster announced plans to launch Bookish, a new digital platform for readers, sometime this summer.

Recent IndieCommerce improvements allow smartphone users who visit a bookstore’s website to see a special, mobile-optimized version of each page.  Customers can also now purchase Google eBooks™ using Givex gift cards.

On Wednesday, May 4, the Pennsylvania Senate Finance Committee held a hearing on sales tax fairness. Committee members heard testimony from both opponents and supporters of efforts to ensure that all retailers collect sales tax for online sales.

On Wednesday, May 4,  Connecticut Gov. Dannell Malloy signed a state budget into law that includes an affiliate nexus provision requiring remote retailers with broad networks of online affiliates in the state to collect and remit sales tax.

This week, ABA CEO Oren Teicher called on South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to support efforts to clarify existing tax laws to require companies with broad networks of online affiliates to collect and remit sales tax to the state.

Michelle Ahlmer, executive director of the Arizona Retailers Association, discusses the hard work that resulted in Arizona sales tax fairness legislation making significant progress this year, as well as the prospects for next year.

ABA is asking member bookstores in South Carolina to call senators in both their store and home districts to urge them to vote “No” on S. 808,  a bill that would provide Amazon.com and QVC with a five-year sales tax exemption.

Despite making significant progress in the legislature, it appears that sales tax equity legislation will not come to a vote in Arizona this year.

It is shaping up to be a notable year for sales tax fairness, as more states introduce, pass, or sign sales tax fairness legislation into law despite threats by Amazon.com and Overstock.com to terminate sales affiliates or close warehouses.