PocketBook Revamps Online Shop: Now Offers eBooks, Audiobooks, and More

PocketBook is primarily known in this region as a hardware manufacturer specializing in open e-readers. Even after many active years, the company continues to regularly introduce new reading devices.

PocketBook relies heavily on distribution partners, whose stores are pre-configured for use on its e-readers. For a long time, larger retailers such as Osiander and Mayersche Buchhandlung were involved, until both switched to the Tolino alliance.

This was quite a significant setback for PocketBook in Germany, which has undoubtedly reduced the brand’s visibility—especially at a time when the competition between Amazon and Tolino was intensifying, and many other market players were being pushed aside. Nevertheless, PocketBook remains an important partner for Umbreit and Ceebo as well as Buchmedia (Austria & Switzerland). This makes PocketBook an alternative to Tolino for many smaller booksellers.

Stronger Focus on Service and Shop

Now, PocketBook is expanding its own offerings. A few weeks ago, the e-reader specialist completely revamped its German online shop. Previously, it was simply a place to purchase e-readers and covers, but you can now also buy eBooks and audiobooks directly at PocketBook.de.

For eBooks, the type of copy protection used is clearly indicated in the properties tab of the detail page. Payment can be made by credit card or PayPal. The implementation likely results from cooperation with Libreka, as the two companies have collaborated in the past.

Beyond purchasing literature and hardware, the website also serves as a point of contact for service and support inquiries. Here, you can download firmware and manuals as well as appropriate voices for the Ivona Text-to-Speech Engine for compatible e-readers.

All in all, the shop implementation is well executed, and hardware shipments are promptly dispatched, as I have already observed. However, it is fair to mention that focusing more strongly on their own eBook business would certainly have paid off earlier. Not only would this have strengthened customer loyalty, but with corresponding success, it might even have been possible to cross-finance the reading devices—just as the competition does.

But as the saying goes—better late than never. From a customer’s perspective, an additional, open shop alternative certainly can’t hurt.