Spotify has announced a significant expansion of its business by entering the market for printed books, marking a notable shift beyond its core focus on music, podcasts, and audiobooks, and opening a new front in the competition with major technology rivals.
The streaming giant revealed that it will begin selling physical books through its platform via a partnership with Bookshop.org, an online retailer known for supporting independent bookstores.
The move represents a strategic departure from Spotify’s long-standing emphasis on audio-only content.
According to the company, the initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen its suite of tools and services as it seeks to compete more aggressively with platforms operated by Apple and Amazon, both of which hold a strong presence in digital content and book retailing.
Spotify’s push into printed books builds on the momentum of its audiobook service, launched two years ago.
Data cited by Reuters show that the service drove a 36% increase in new listeners year-on-year, while total listening hours rose by 37%, highlighting growing user engagement with long-form content.
The new book-purchasing feature is expected to roll out in spring, initially targeting users in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Under the arrangement, Bookshop.org will handle pricing, inventory management, and order fulfillment, while Spotify will earn a commission on purchases made through its app.
The move comes at a time when sales of printed books have been slowing, as more consumers turn to e-books and other digital content formats.
This raises questions about the long-term potential of Spotify’s latest venture in a rapidly evolving market.
Separately, Spotify recently announced a $1 increase in the price of its premium monthly subscription, bringing it to $12.99 in the United States, Estonia, and Latvia.
Following these developments, the company’s shares fell by 4.5%, despite having gained nearly 30% over the past year, according to Reuters data.
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