Spotify Launches Physical Book Purchases in US and UK App

Spotify launched a new feature on Wednesday allowing users in the United States and the United Kingdom to purchase physical books directly through its mobile app, expanding its offerings beyond digital audio and music streaming. The service, developed in partnership with Bookshop.org, an online marketplace that supports independent bookstores, enables listeners to buy printed copies of audiobooks they are exploring. Transactions occur via a "Get a copy for your bookshelf" button on audiobook pages, which redirects users to Bookshop.org's website for pricing, inventory, and shipping details. The feature is currently available only on Android devices, with iOS support scheduled to begin next week.

This initiative builds on Spotify's growing presence in the audiobook sector, which it entered in September 2022 with an initial catalog in the U.S. The platform now offers more than 700,000 audiobook titles across 22 markets, including the U.K., Canada, Australia, and several European countries. By integrating physical book sales, Spotify aims to create a seamless experience for users who switch between listening and reading formats. The company, which recently reported 751 million...