Amazon is trying to angle its way into indie bookstores through a new program that gets small bookstores to sell Kindle and eBooks in exchange for a commission.
The new service is called Amazon Source. Through the program independent bookstores can sell Kindle devices in their stores and earn a 10 percent commission on every Kindle book purchased on that device for the first two years that the customer owns the device. Amazon will also offer these retailers a 6 percent discount on the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price of Kindle device and a 35 percent discount on Kindle Accessories.
Amazon tested this new platform with a digital sales integration with British book retailer Waterstones last year. This new service could appeal to indie bookstores that would like to get into eBooks. But Kobo , Zola Books and reKiosk also have programs to help indie bookstores sell eBooks and they give higher commissions and don’t require a commitment to a device.
