Links - online book retailers


Online stores specialising in books were probably the first 'etailers' to be noticed by the general public.

Some of these online book stores soon added music CDs, DVDs and videos and then other products to their stock, while at the same time a number of highstreet book shops also began selling their products online. In many cases, book costs are cheaper from online stores than they are from book shops on the high street. Many book publishers also have their own websites and many of these offer the ability to buy books directly from them.

The purchasing of books, CDs, DVDs and increasingly computer games from online stores is probably still the most common way that people shop online.


online book retailers

  • AbeBooks.co.uk
    • AbeBooks began in 1996 and operates by advertising books on behalf of sellers and managing the purchase process as an middle man between the buyer and seller.

  • Amazon.co.uk
    • Amazon are one of the longest running online book retailers (having started in 1995) and sell a large range of books and other products.

  • BBC Bookshop
    • The BBC Bookshop sells a range of books related to BBC programmes.

  • Blackwell Online
    • The Blackwell Online store offers both popular press and specialist accademic publications.

  • BooksDirect
    • BooksDirect runs a number of book clubs which between them cover general and more specialised interest areas.

  • ComputerBooks.co.uk
    • As it's name might suggest, ComputerBooks.co.uk specialises in supplying computer books.

  • Independent Booksellers Network
    • The Independent Booksellers Network are a group of booksellers who can collectively offer a wide range of books.

  • Mandrake Press Ltd
    • Mandrake Press Limited's online store specialises in books (and gifts) relating to metaphysical, New Age and occult topics.

  • Tesco
    • Amongst it's many other sections, there is a part of the Tesco website dedicated to selling a selection of books.

  • The Book People
    • The Book People produce a catalogue every month or so, each of which lists a limited range of books at discount prices.

  • The Book Pl@ce
    • In addition to being an online bookstore, The Book Pl@ce also features a number of book reviews, interviews with authors and other features.

  • Waterstones
    • Waterstones are a familair name as a book retailer on the high street and their online store offers the same wide range of books.

  • WH Smith
    • WH Smith is a familair name from the high street and offers a selection of books through it's online store.

book swapping and book exchange sites