Listen
11:06
Black and white and read all over: Wal-Mart declares war on Amazon
Walmart.com fired the first shot last week, listing upcoming titles by popular authors for sale at $10 each. Amazon responded by dropping their prices on the same titles accordingly, so Wal-Mart struck back with a $9 tag – and free shipping. Amazon then lobbed same-day delivery over the net. This book-bloodbath has smaller book chains, who can’t afford such deep discounts, shaking in their boots. More importantly, what does this battle say about the future of publishing?
Walmart.com fired the first shot last week, listing upcoming titles by popular authors for sale at $10 each. Amazon responded by dropping their prices on the same titles accordingly, so Wal-Mart struck back with a $9 tag – and free shipping. Amazon then lobbed same-day delivery over the net. This book-bloodbath has smaller book chains, who can’t afford such deep discounts, shaking in their boots. More importantly, what does this battle say about the future of publishing?
Guest:
Jim Milliott, Senior Editor, Publisher’s Weekly
Miguel Bustillo, Staff Reporter for The Wall Street Journal