Bookshops across the UK and Ireland are preparing for the first of three “Super Thursdays” this Autumn, with 600 new hardbacks due to hit the shelves on Thursday 3 September, a 28 per cent increase on the equivalent day last year.

With many book releases having been pushed back until the Autumn due to COVID-19, bookshops are now gearing up for a bumper Autumn, with thousands of books set to be released. Authors with books published on the first big day of new releases of the Autumn include: Nadiya Hussain, Lauren Child, Caitlin Moran, Richard Osman, Ant and Dec, Will Young, Raynor Winn, Pinch of Nom, and Ruth Jones.

Bookstores across the country have worked hard to create safe shopping environments for browsers; creating just one more reason for book lovers to #ChooseBookshops this Autumn. With so many books published on the same day, and throughout the Autumn, booksellers across the country will be on hand to help readers and gift-buyers discover the right books for them. The Booksellers Association will be releasing a short #ChooseBookshops video on 28 August across its @booksaremybag social channels.

Bookshops will also be celebrating Bookshop Day on Saturday 3 October – the annual celebration of high street bookshops across the UK. Bookshop Day 2020 will feature virtual author events and celebrations, a Limited Edition Bag collaborated on with Charlie Mackesy, bestselling creator of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, and more – with further details to be announced.

While the Autumn book bonanza is good news in many ways for booksellers, bookshops continue to face a huge number of challenges, both as a direct result of COVID-19, as well as prevailing obstacles. As the next rent day approaches, 25 per cent of booksellers have reported that landlords refused to offer any rent relief during lockdown; ongoing uncertainty on Business Rates due to the Government’s long-awaited review; and small retail businesses are under more pressure than ever before to compete against large online conglomerates. The Booksellers Association is urging book lovers to support local bookshops, while calling on Government to do more to protect the high street.