French and American publishers gathered in New York on May 6, 2025, at Villa Albertine to discuss the evolving landscape of art publishing, focusing on differences in retail channels and the ways consumer behavior shapes international rights sales.
The roundtable was organized by the Bureau International de l’Édition Française (BIEF), the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in the United States, and Books From France. It was followed by two days of professional meetings designed to strengthen cooperation between publishers from both countries. Participants included representatives from major U.S. publishers such as Princeton University Press, Schiffer Publishing, Tannenbaum Publishing Services, and Yale University Press, as well as eight French publishing houses including Flammarion, Gallimard, Mango, and Solar.
Nicolas Roche, managing director of BIEF, moderated the discussion. He highlighted the stark differences between the French and American retail environments: in France, independent and chain bookstores still dominate, while in the United States, online platforms and specialty stores have become critical drivers of sales.
Charlotte Lassansàa, head of rights at the Centre Pompidou, noted that in France 77% of book sales take place through traditional outlets, with only about 10% of art books sold online. By contrast, Sharon Gallagher, president and executive director of Artbook | D.A.P., emphasized the growing power of online sales through Amazon. She pointed out that nontraditional channels in the U.S.—including lifestyle and furniture retailers like Urban Outfitters, Crate & Barrel, and West Elm—are becoming increasingly important for illustrated book sales, and her company now maintains a dedicated team to handle these accounts.
Speakers also acknowledged that while there are similarities between the two markets, the differences remain significant. As one participant observed, the American trade environment has lost much of the breadth and diversity it once had, limiting the variety of publishing opportunities available today.
The discussion concluded by stressing that the future of art publishing continues to be defined by the balance between mission and market. Both French and American publishers are navigating the challenges of digital transformation, economic uncertainty, and the rise of artificial intelligence while striving to preserve scholarly integrity and expand commercial reach.