Spotify said on Thursday it will begin selling physical books on its streaming platform through a partnership with online retailer Bookshop.org, marking an unexpected expansion beyond its audiobooks business. ...

The streaming service is joining with Bookshop.org to appeal to readers who read in multiple formats. ...

Core Insights - The retail industry faces significant challenges when competitors offer more convenient ways to access key products, as demonstrated by Amazon's impact on traditional bookstores [1][2] - Digital reading has become a preferred option for many consumers, leading to a decline in physical book sales and forcing bookstores to adapt their business models [2][3] - Video game retailers, particularly GameStop, have encountered similar challenges due to the rise of digital gaming and subscription services, which have diminished the demand for physical games [4][6] Company Analysis - GameStop has struggled to establish a sustainable business model, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many stores to close and intensified existing issues [5][6] - The company's near bankruptcy in 2020 was attributed to the decline in demand for physical games and consoles, compounded by the pandemic [6] - A surge in GameStop's stock price in early 2021, driven by retail investors on social media, allowed the company to avoid bankruptcy and provided cash reserves for a turnaround plan [6][7] - GameStop has initiated a significant number of store closures as part of its strategy to adapt to the changing market landscape [7]