New York, NY - May 17th, 2010
May marks the 50th anniversary of Lectorum, the oldest and largest Spanish-language book distributor in the United States. What began in the 1960s as a Spanish-language bookstore in Manhattan has become a business without borders, offering more than 25,000 titles in Spanish to its customers through catalogs, lectorum.com, and librerialectorum.com.
In the last 50 years, Lectorum has grown and evolved along with the growing Hispanic segment it serves. Currently, the Hispanic community represents the largest, youngest, and fastest-growing minority in the United States—a total of 47 million people, estimated to reach 60 million by 2020. With an average age of 27—compared to 36 for the general population—the segment’s purchasing power is estimated at $1 trillion, and is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2013.
"To its devoted customers, Lectorum has always represented the soul of the Latino community and a bridge back to their native country," says Teresa Mlawer, President of Lectorum. "We’re excited to continue to serve passionate readers, educators, librarians…and celebrities on a greater, more comprehensive scale."
Lectorum carries books by leading award-winning writers such as Gabriel García Márquez, Carlos Fuentes, Ángeles Mastretta, Antonio Muñoz Molina, Julia Alvarez, Esmeralda Santiago, Eduardo Lago, and Carlos Ruiz Zafón, as well as books by favorite television personalities such as Jorge Ramos, María Celeste Arrarás, and María Antonieta Collins. Its selection of children’s books is equally impressive, with books by Georgina Lázaro, Ivar da Coll, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Pat Mora, Kathleen Contreras, and countless others.
Of the total U.S. Hispanic population, 82% speak and read Spanish. More specifically, 26% are bilingual, and the remaining 56% are Spanish dominant. This population has also been characterized by its high use of new technology and the Internet. Internet use among Hispanics grows 5% faster than among the rest of the population, and Hispanic are 21% more likely to download digital content than their peers.
"We want to provide our customers with a broad selection of products," says Alex Correa, Executive Vice President of Lectorum. "In addition to books in Spanish, audiovisual material and any other form of content, Lectorum will continue to bring the best that our Hispanic culture has to offer to the world."
Correa adds, "Lectorum will continue to strengthen the business through traditional channels, and will expand online sales. Above all, Lectorum will maintain its growth by responding to the needs of its customers."
FIND ATTACHED THE PRESS RELEASE IN SPANISH
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