Bookshop Day is what you make it.
This is your opportunity to celebrate with your existing community, draw in new customers, and be part of something happening right across Aotearoa. We’ve done the groundwork and the rest is yours to run with. Here’s everything you need to know…
Your asset pack
We’re providing an asset pack which includes the exclusive artwork by Coco Solid, a media release template, and web, print, and social assets. Use them however works best for your store and your community.
IMPORTANT: Please register your participation and/or event by 1 Oct 2026
If you are participating in Bookshop Day 2026, we want to know! Whether your hosting a big all-day event or simply greeting your customers with a ‘Happy Bookshop Day!’, please register your event/participation with us. This is an important KPI for us to measure industry engagement with Bookshop Day.
Once you’ve registered, your store will appear on the Bookshop Day events page HERE and you’ll be included in our dedicated social media campaign, which will run collaboratively across @booksellersnz and @bookshopdaynz on Instagram and Facebook in the lead-up to Saturday 10 October.
Event and activation ideas
Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas:
- Bookshop crawl — team up with neighbouring stores and offer a special promotion or discount when customers complete the full crawl. Great for foot traffic and cross-promotion.
- Spot prizes — keep customers lingering with in-store spot prizes throughout the day.
- Author events — a signing, a reading, a Q&A. Even a short drop-in with a local author can draw a crowd.
- A good old sale — everyone loves one. Enough said.
- Love letter to your bookshop — invite customers to write a submission about what your store means to them. Enter them in a draw to win a prize. Great for social content too.
- Kids’ events — costume parties, teddy bear picnics, story time. Bring in the families and you bring in everyone.
The 2026 Bookshop Day tote — act now
This year’s limited edition Bookshop Day tote features the exclusive Coco Solid artwork and is one of the most tangible ways to drive sales and excitement in-store on the day.
Totes are available for wholesale purchase now in packs of 10 through our member store or email us directly to order.
MOQ 10, $15 each (so $150 for 10), dispatching in August and September, payment not due until Oct 20. RRP $30.
ORDER HERE or email office@booksellers.co.nz
Please note: the tote is under embargo until Bookshop Day on 10 October 2026. This includes pre-orders. Please do not sell or take orders for the bag before the day.
Industry partner activations to know about
- Penguin — Your Personal Penguin
Penguin are running Your Personal Penguin for another year. Make sure your store is part of it — the figurine will be revealed on 9 September. Watch for their communications and make sure you’re on board.
- Libro.fm — Golden Ticket
Libro.fm will be running their Golden Ticket activation again this year.
SIGN UP FORM – deadline is 16 September
- HarperCollins and Walker Books — Where’s Wally
Every participating store will be provided a physical Find Wally activity kit which will contain: A3 poster, Wally mini standee (for hiding and finding in store), find Wally instruction sheets (to give to customers), I Found Wally badges (as prizes for customers) and social media assets for promotion.
- Hachette — Treasure Hunt
The Man Whose Mother Was a Pirate instore Treasure Hunts. Register your interest with your Hachette Account Manager.
BOOKSHOP DAY – KEY LINKS
- Register Your Participation and/or Event – DEADLINE 1 OCT 2026
- Asset Pack
- Buy Tote Bags – low stock!
- Bookshop Day website
- Bookshop Day Instagram
- Bookshop Day Facebook event – coming soon