Kobo’s US Subscription to Challenge Amazon’s Reading Service
Kobo, the Canadian e-reader company, has announced its plans to launch a subscription service in the US that will challenge Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited. The service, called Kobo Plus, has already been launched in the Netherlands and Belgium, and has been successful in those markets.
Kobo Plus offers subscribers access to a library of over 200,000 e-books and audiobooks for a monthly fee of $9.99. The service is available on Kobo e-readers, as well as on the Kobo app for iOS and Android devices.
Kobo’s move into the US market is a bold one, as Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited has dominated the e-book subscription market since its launch in 2014. Kindle Unlimited offers subscribers access to over 1 million e-books and audiobooks for a monthly fee of $9.99.
However, Kobo is hoping to differentiate itself from Kindle Unlimited by offering a more curated selection of books. Kobo Plus will feature books from both major publishers and independent authors, and will focus on quality over quantity.
Kobo is also hoping to appeal to readers who are looking for a more international selection of books. While Kindle Unlimited is heavily focused on books from US publishers, Kobo Plus will feature books from publishers around the world.
Another advantage that Kobo has over Amazon is its partnership with independent bookstores. Kobo has been working with independent bookstores for years, offering them the ability to sell Kobo e-readers and e-books through their stores. This partnership could give Kobo an edge over Amazon, as independent bookstores are often seen as more trustworthy and community-oriented than Amazon.
Kobo’s move into the US market is a smart one, as the e-book subscription market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. According to a report by PwC, the global e-book market is expected to reach $20.7 billion by 2025, up from $15.6 billion in 2020.
While Kobo may not be able to compete with Amazon’s massive selection of books, it has the potential to carve out a niche for itself by offering a more curated selection of books and by partnering with independent bookstores. Only time will tell if Kobo Plus will be able to challenge Kindle Unlimited, but it’s clear that Kobo is not afraid to take on the e-book giant.