Costco representatives visited Iceland a few weeks ago to familiarize themselves with the Icelandic phenomenon known as “the Christmas book flood” (jólabókaflóðið), RÚV reports. Egill Örn Jóhannsson, chairman of the board of the Icelandic Publishers Association and managing director of Forlagið, the largest publisher in Iceland, discussed the visit in an interview with the news broadcaster.
Books are one of the most popular Christmas presents in Iceland. There is a surge in the publishing and sale of new books leading up to the holiday every year which is known as the “Christmas book flood”. Egill told RÚV that wholesaler Costco, which opened its first retail location in Iceland this past may, plans to participate in the so-called flood. Costco will face competition from other grocery retailers such as Bónus, Hagkaup, and Nettó, which have sold books during the holiday season.
Thought Costco Iceland has previously offered books in both English and Icelandic, the details of the retailer’s participation in Christmas book sales are not yet known. Egill suggests the wholesaler may offer multiple books in larger packages.
Egill states the Christmas book flood has been successful in the past few years, with last year showing an increase in sales.
