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Urgent Supply Chain Upgrades Highlighted at BISG Annual Meeting

This year’s Book Industry Study Group (BISG) annual meeting convened on April 25 at the Times Center in New York City. The primary subject of discussion was the pressing need for enhancements in the publishing industry’s supply chain. The meeting coincided with the release of the organization’s new white paper, “Building a Supply Chain for the Next Generation of Book Publishing.”

The dialogue was initiated by Joshua Tallent, director of sales and education at Firebrand Technologies, and James Miller, senior director of merchandise systems at Barnes & Noble—who are also the chair and vice chair of BISG, respectively. They emphasized the urgency for the book industry to “move fast and fix things.” Miller referred to the new white paper as “a critical, pivotal moment” for BISG, stressing that collective support among staff, board members, and volunteers is essential for improving supply chain communication. He noted that such collaboration could allow individual companies to refocus on their core missions.

Miller also highlighted CEO James Daunt’s impactful strategies in revitalizing Barnes & Noble after it was acquired by Elliott Management five years ago. Reflecting on the transformations since Daunt’s appointment, Miller stated, “everything has changed.” After a series of leadership changes and fluctuating operational priorities, Daunt has re-established a focus on excelling as a bookseller.

Early changes implemented by Daunt included redesigning store layouts, empowering local managers with stock decisions, and shifting attention back to books after a period where various non-book items dominated. “Make books the star” became Daunt’s guiding principle, an approach that was neglected in the previous years.

To move forward, Miller noted that Barnes & Noble identified specific actions necessary for realization of its goals. This involved creating new systems for managers responsible for ordering while also adapting to the need for new store openings, following a previous era of closures. The approach emphasizes community-specific store layouts over generic superstores, with approximately 60 new locations slated for opening this year.

Success has particularly been evident in bolstering fiction sales, along with ongoing enhancements in the adult nonfiction sections starting with sports books, aimed at expanding to all nonfiction categories.

The meeting’s next panel featured Phil Madans, the retiring executive director of digital publishing technology at Hachette Book Group. He summarized key insights from the Book Publishing Next white paper, observing that the existing supply chain was designed for an era dominated by print books where publishers had minimal interaction with readers. “The internet changed everything,” he noted, explaining that platforms like TikTok have dramatically altered how publishers engage with audiences. As a result, the current supply chain struggles to adapt to these new marketing demands.

Madans emphasized the necessity for a supply chain capable of responding rapidly to emerging trends, pinpointing the pandemic as a crucial turning point that highlighted the industry’s reliance on data and the need for enhanced transparency between publishers and vendors, especially printers.

Annually, the BISG also honors individuals for their contributions to the industry. This year, Lee Wind, chief content officer at the Independent Book Publishers Association, received the Industry Champion Award for co-founding the “We Are Stronger Than Censorship” initiative, which offsets book challenges by donating books. Dominique Raccah, founder and CEO of Sourcebooks, was awarded the Sally Dedecker Award for Lifetime Achievement.

During her acceptance speech, Raccah remarked that “progress in publishing is not just possible—it’s imperative.” Serving as a BISG co-chair and chair from 2006 to 2012, she played a pivotal role in navigating significant transitions, including the shift to a 13-digit ISBN system and the e-book revolution. “Once again, the ground beneath us is shifting,” she asserted.

The current focal point revolves around artificial intelligence (AI). “AI is no longer on the horizon—it’s in the room,” Raccah stated, highlighting the real-time transformation of supply chains. She emphasized the evolution of metadata from a back-office function to a crucial element influencing discoverability and sales. Raccah characterized data as more than just numbers; it is, in fact, a driving force in storytelling.

She urged the industry to approach current challenges not only as operational but also as existential. Raccah believes that AI, when effectively guided, has the potential to enhance the publishing landscape by connecting communities and amplifying underrepresented voices. However, she underscored the importance of safeguarding the livelihoods of authors and creative partners, reinforcing the need for ethical and equitable practices as the industry navigates AI’s integration.

To achieve this, Raccah called for active participation in the decision-making processes surrounding AI’s future. “We must ask better questions—not just about what’s possible, but about what’s right,” she stated. She urged the industry to ensure AI’s deployment is transparent and respectful of intellectual property rights, emphasizing the need for continual improvement beyond mere efficiency.

“And who better to lead that charge than BISG?” she concluded.

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