In a move set to reshape the landscape of book retail in the United Kingdom, Bookloop has launched an innovative secondhand buy-back book scheme that promises to provide a sustainable alternative to traditional online giants like Amazon. The initiative, which leverages the existing infrastructure of Zeercle, an established buy-back platform operating across Europe, is poised to benefit readers, independent booksellers, and authors alike.
Bookloop, a brainchild of Bookshop.org, a platform dedicated to supporting independent booksellers, offers a seamless way for readers to trade in their unwanted books for online credit or other pre-loved novels. This initiative is more than just a new business venture; it’s a commitment to sustainability and community, promising to invigorate the UK’s literary economy and reduce waste.
How It Works
The process is straightforward. Readers can scan and upload their books to Bookloop’s online valuation system. Once valued, they can drop the books off at a DPD collection point or arrange for home pickup. In return, they receive site credit to be used on new titles available through Bookshop.org’s network of indie booksellers.
This initiative is a collaboration with Zeercle, a buy-back platform renowned for its efficient processing of over 10,000 books per day across France, the UK, Germany, Austria, and Sweden. Zeercle’s role in Bookloop is crucial, as it ensures that traded-in books are sold through online marketplaces that exclude Amazon-owned sites, providing a more ethical route for secondhand book sales.
Eric Gagnaire, co-founder and CEO of Zeercle, highlighted the dual benefits of the scheme: “By giving books a second life, we are not only reducing waste but also fostering a community of readers who value sustainability and support independent bookshops. This initiative is a win-win for both the environment and the local economy.”
A Boost for Independent Bookshops
One of the independent UK booksellers to join the scheme is Bookbag, located in Exeter. Co-founders Charlie and Malcolm Richards view Bookloop as a valuable tool for promoting a circular book economy. “We’re glad to see Bookshop.org set up this scheme, which feels well-thought-through and a great way of repurposing books, and helping sustain bookshops and new book purchases,” Charlie Richards told Positive News.
At Bookbag, pre-read books donated by customers are sold on a secondhand bookshelf, with proceeds supporting local events like open mic poetry nights. The Bookloop scheme aligns with their values of promoting book reuse and supporting the local literary community.
Nicole Vanderbilt, managing director at Bookshop.org, echoed these sentiments: “This will still bring a benefit to independent booksellers, boosting sales that will help them gain extra commissions, while ensuring the secondhand books don’t end up on Amazon.”
Supporting Authors and Sustainability
Authors also stand to benefit from Bookloop. An agreement with the Society of Authors and ALCS ensures that royalties from secondhand book sales will be redistributed through a shared author fund. This setup not only supports authors but also contributes to a more equitable distribution of funds within the literary community.
However, the launch has not been met with universal acclaim. Some secondhand booksellers, such as Patrick Kelly of Bookmongers in Brixton, have voiced concerns about the condition and relevance of the books being traded. Kelly argued that many secondhand books should be recycled rather than resold.
In response, Bookshop.org has emphasized that only 2% of books sold to Zeercle do not make it back into circulation. Most of the unsold books are donated to local charities, with less than 0.5% being recycled. This commitment to sustainability aligns with the broader goals of the Bookloop initiative.
The Future of Sustainable Book Retail
Amber Harrison, co-founder of FOLDE in Dorset, welcomed the Bookloop launch, highlighting the role of independent bookshops in leading sustainable retail practices. “Closing the loop on getting pre-owned books to new readers while benefiting both bookshops and authors feels extremely positive,” she remarked. “It’s a really sustainable way of getting books into the hands of more people, without cost being a barrier.”
As Bookloop gains traction, it promises to transform how secondhand books are bought, sold, and enjoyed, reinforcing the value of sustainability in the literary world. By creating a more circular book economy, Bookloop not only benefits readers and authors but also strengthens the role of independent booksellers in the UK’s vibrant literary ecosystem.
