Apple biting for an e-book price war

Apple’s sales plans for iPad and iBookstore have caused a big shift of momentum in the book publishing industry.

Amazon’s strategy for selling e-books on the Kindle was to sell them at a discounted price – around £6.99

But Apple, surprisingly have stuck their neck out with higher book prices for titles bought through the iBookstore.

The big publishers such as Macmillan piled pressure on Amazon to allow them sell books through an agency pricing model, which essentially means more money to them, but higher book prices – £9.99 or £12.99 – for readers.

Now, another twist has emerged, the New York Times reported that Apple may have a deal with publishers that ensures lower prices for bestsellers.

A title that costs £9.99 would cost significantly less once it hit the bestseller list. Apple also want cheaper hardcover titles to be cheaper as e-books.