NPD Group has acquired Nielsen’s U.S. book businesses, which include BookScan, PubTrack Digital, PubTrack Higher Education, PubTrack Christian, Books & Consumers, PubEasy, and PubNet.  Most important to the trade that handles book format products (primarily graphic novels, for ICv2 readers) is BookScan, which tracks sales from POS and online retailer data for chains, major online retailers, and some independent stores. 

Nielsen is providing support services for NPD BookScan during a transition period, and retains ownership of its book businesses outside of the U.S. 

NPD tracks some 20 categories, including games (see “NPD Reports 16% Growth for Games Year-to-Date”).