21st July, 2010

With news that global online retailer Amazon is now selling more ebooks than hard copies come reports that consumers are also adopting the 'e' trend when it comes to Bibles.

Bible retailer Zondervan has reported that its NIV Bible and Zondervan NIV Study Bible have been among the top five ebooks in the religion and spirituality category of Apple's ibookstore and Amazon's kindle store since the beginning of 2010.

The company says eBibles now represent more than 40 per cent of the companies ebook revenues and in some cases are outselling traditional hard copy products.

The company currently has 1,450 books and Bibles available in the ebook format.

Figures from the Association of American Publishers show that in the first quarter of 2010, overall ebook sales showed a year-over-year increase of more than 250 per cent. Sales of religious ebooks were up 7.0 per cent for the month of March, with sales totaling $US49.5 million.

- DAVID ADAMS