Summary of Research Findings

The figure shows the distribution structure of e-books. When an e-book is sold at an e-bookstore, about 40 to 50% of the sales value (retail price) is proportionately allotted to the e-bookstore and the publisher (the rate varies according to the publisher and the book). When an e-book is sold via an app store, about 30% of the retail price goes to the app store and the rest of about 70% will be proportionately allotted to the e-bookstore and the publisher, so that in this case the rate for the both decreases. However, in many cases, e-bookstores only provide apps through the viewer only, or do not provide the apps in the first place. On the other hand, the main customers of manga apps are the young people who are already used to the payment through apps, so that manga apps are mainly bought through app stores.

Noteworthy Topics

Increased Utilization of Customer Data from QR Code Payment

In the latter half of 2018, a series of domestic leading platform businesses have carried out large-scale promotions aiming to outspread their in-house QR code payment.  ​

In the background, the businesses have intended to attract customers into their sales territory, as well as to obtain the purchase data of real-store users. These customer data and purchase history are used by each enterprise for its advertisement activities, aiming to improve the accuracy of targeted advertisement and also to measure the effect of purchase activities by the customers at real stores. Furthermore, the data is applicable in recommendation functions in the digital contents services provided by each of platform businesses, which is likely to contribute to more advanced marketing measures.

Research Outline