Retail Focus FAQ

What does Retail Focus Australia guarantee?

Retail Focus Australia is a marketing program targeting independent bookshops. Your book will be pitched to 25 independent bookshops in Australia over a 90-day period.

Three progress reports are provided, and the final report will detail the locations that have agreed to test your book. For the Title Pitch package, at least two libraries will agree to carry a copy. For the Title Pitch Plus package, it will be two libraries and two independent bookshops. This test stocking period will last 2-3 weeks.

Will my book be on display at the bookshops?

No. When a bookshop agrees to test the book, they are agreeing to put the book on the category shelf. Stores charge extra for in-store promotions. There is a chance, however, that the book will be displayed if it's a new release, or if there is local interest in the book.

Will bookshop chains be contacted? (e.g., WHSmith, Dymocks, Kinokuniya etc.)

No, chain bookshops cannot make decisions at the local level and require approval from their main offices.

What criteria are used to select bookshops?

Your location and book topic determine the 25 independent bookshops that are targeted during the 90-day period. bookshops that specialize in your book's topic are more likely to agree to a test, as are bookshops in your area (as they are often interested in promoting local talent).

Can I request for specific bookshops to be included in my pitch campaign?

Yes, you can request up to 5 store locations. We will do our best to reach out to them. However, we cannot guarantee the response of these individual stores. They reserve the right to refuse requests for display and/or stocking.

How are the bookshops contacted?

The program begins with the creation of a sell sheet about your book, and a specially crafted cover letter with a pitch for your book. These are emailed or mailed to buyers and succeeding follow-ups are done within the 90-day period. The stores are contacted to confirm that a test copy of your book is available in-store to complete the pitch process.

For how long will a test copy of my book be available in the bookshop?

If unsold, bookshops typically keep a test copy for 2-3 weeks.

Your final report will contain the names of the bookshops that have agreed to carry a test copy of your book. However, some books may sell faster than others and your book may have already been sold by the time you receive the third report.

How many copies do bookshops usually carry as a test?

bookshops will usually carry 1-2 test copies of a book.

Will you be pitching the hardback version of my book?

No, the campaign will focus on pitching your book's paperback version.

Will you provide the name of the bookshops?

In the final report, Xlibris AU provides the addresses and phone numbers of those bookshops that have agreed to test your book. Make sure to read some helpful tips appended to your third report, before contacting these bookshops.