Global Hobby & Leisure market

The global Hobby & Leisure eCommerce market is expected to increase over the next years. It is predicted to reach US$635,027.9 million by 2024 and the expected compound annual growth rate for the next four years (CAGR 2024-2028) will be 7.1%. ECDB considers the following twelve sub-markets within the Hobby & Leisure market: Media, Stationery, Crafts & Art Supplies, Sports Equipment, Toys, Pet Supplies, Camping & Adventure, Erotic & Adult, Bullion & Precious Metal, Musical Instruments, Other Hobby & Leisure, Flowers & Gifts, and Smoking Supplies. Media is the largest sub-market and accounts for 27.9% of the global Hobby & Leisure market.

Market development

eCommerce revenue development in the global Books, eBooks & Audiobooks market

The global Books, eBooks & Audiobooks eCommerce market is expected to increase over the next years. It is predicted to reach US$145,648.4 million by 2024 and the expected compound annual growth rate for the next four years (CAGR 2024-2028) will be 6.0%. The Books, eBooks & Audiobooks eCommerce market is a sub-market of the Media market and accounts for 82.2% within this market. Further categories within the Media market are: Other Media and Video, CDs, Vinyl & Downloads.

eCommerce revenue development in the global Books, eBooks & Audiobooks market

in million US$

Note: Market revenue represents B2C sales of physical goods including VAT. It excludes B2B sales, C2C sales, returns, compensation for damaged or missing goods, any discounts granted and services. Data shown is using current exchange rates.

Source: ECDB analysis

eCommerce revenue growth in the global Books, eBooks & Audiobooks market

in %

Note: Market revenue represents B2C sales of physical goods including VAT. It excludes B2B sales, C2C sales, returns, compensation for damaged or missing goods, any discounts granted and services. Data shown is using current exchange rates.

Source: ECDB analysis

Net eCommerce revenue split by sub-category

in %

Note: Data shown is using current exchange rates.

Source: ECDB analysis

201720182019202020212022202320242025202620272028
Revenue (in mUS$)0.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.0
Growth (in %)14.495.927.138.13.315.963.065.2
as of Media (in %)3.23.33.12.93.13.33.33.33.33.43.43.4

Online share

eCommerce online share of the total Books, eBooks & Audiobooks market

The online share refers to the proportion of the retail volume that is transacted via the Internet. It includes purchases via desktop PC, tablet or smartphone, both via website or app. Only retail of physical goods is taken into account. In the global Books, eBooks & Audiobooks retail market, the online share is 12.5% and will increase by an average of 7.0% to 16.4% by 2028.

eCommerce online share of the total Books, eBooks & Audiobooks market

in %

Note: Data shown is using current exchange rates.

Source: Statista Market Insights , ECDB analysis

20202021202220232024202520262027
Online share (in %)52.7%19.1%16.5%65.1%41.2%42.9%92.1%77.6%

Market definition

Definition of the Books, eBooks & Audiobooks market within the Hobby & Leisure market

Market definition: Hobby & Leisure > Media > Books, eBooks & Audiobooks The category Books, eBooks & Audiobooks includes the online trade of books (e.g. novels, trade literature), ebooks (e.g. fiction ebooks, educational and textbook ebooks) and audiobooks (e.g. fiction audiobooks, novel audiobooks). This category does not cover ebook reader. All monetary figures refer to the annual gross revenue and do not factor in shipping costs.

In-scope

  • Books (e.g. novels, trade literature)
  • eBooks (e.g. fiction eBooks, educational and textbook eBooks)
  • Audiobooks (e.g. fiction audiobooks, novel audiobooks)

Out-of-scope

  • eBook reader

Market comparison

The Global Books, eBooks & Audiobooks market in a global comparison

Market comparison by growth, online share, and revenue in 2023

in %

Source: ECDB analysis