The coronavirus has had one effect on the digital comics market. The UK government were due to add ebooks – and digital comics to the list of items exempt from VAT.
Well now, due to the coronavirus lockdown, this has been hastened.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said he wanted to make it “as easy as possible for people across the UK to get hold of the books they want while they are staying at home and saving lives”.
“That is why we have fast-tracked plans to scrap VAT on all e-publications, which will make it cheaper for publishers to sell their books, magazines and newspapers.”
Now, Bleeding Cool have added that ComiXology have dropped their prices to suit.
So the 99 cent DC Digital First titles were 99 pence but are now 79 pence. While the $3.99 comics which were £3.99 are now £3.19. That’s a 20% drop across the board. However before the change last year, a $3.99 comic would sell for only £2.49. That the current price is not lower is down to ComiXology still factoring the crashing of the value of pound sterling, four years ago.
And they added:
If you live in the UK and bought any digital reading products today before the prices changed, you might be able to get a partial refund if you contact ComiXology or Amazon. But that only works for today, the tax was applicable and in place for yesterday’s digital sales. So, will this mean an uptick in digital comic book sales in the UK this week?
I’ve reached out to ComiXology for any additional comments and will let you all know.
