Tzomet Sfarim changes policy: will reduce intake of self-funded books
The Tzomet Sfarim chain is introducing a new filtering process for self-funded books. This policy aims to streamline operations and improve the overall customer shopping experience.
The Tzomet Sfarim chain is changing its policy: it will begin to filter books funded by authors themselves. In a letter sent to publishing houses today, the company's CEO, Avi Shumer, wrote that the chain is updating its policy regarding the intake of new titles.
According to the policy that will take effect in the coming quarter, a decrease in the intake of self-funded books is expected, with the aim of streamlining operations and refining the shopping experience for customers. According to industry estimates, at least half of the books in 2025 were published with full or partial funding from authors or through grants. For comparison, a decade ago, self-funded books were not marketed in bookstore chains.
"In recent years, we have witnessed a steep rise in the volume of 'funded literature' — a model in which titles are published without a professional and mandatory editorial review process," wrote Shumer, adding: "This trend creates significant challenges in managing shelf space and harms our ability to present a high-quality mix to the public, while pushing titles with high literary and commercial potential to the margins."
Accordingly, publishing houses are required to send books for review by purchasing managers, and only after receiving their official approval will it be possible to include them in stores. As part of the review process, Tzomet Sfarim will require to know whether the book was funded by the author or any other private or public entity. The review will focus on suitability for the target audience, commercial potential, and maintaining the visibility of the selected books.
According to Shumer, beyond content aspects, flooding store shelves with a large quantity of titles, without prior filtering, constitutes a heavy and unnecessary economic burden on the entire supply chain. Thus, the distribution of books that are not suited to audience demand creates costs for movement, storage, and return management, which often exceed the profit margins from the book. Another issue concerns the limited display space in branches, while the inclusion of "irrelevant" books creates a high display cost and harms the exposure and sales of leading books.
Reducing the excess variety is intended to allow store managers to invest resources in sales and service, instead of logistical handling of merchandise that does not sell. Shumer concluded his message to the publishing houses by stating that he believes this move "will contribute to strengthening the status of the book, improving the sales performance of quality titles, and maintaining an accurate shopping experience for customers."
