The Texas Remainder Expo (TREX) is the largest wholesale trade show in the U.S. dedicated to overstock books, bargain books, and gifts. It provides a fantastic opportunity for retailers to discover titles at unbeatable prices. This year’s most recent show, held in September in Dallas, TX, brought together a diverse group of exhibitors and buyers, all eager to enhance their store inventories and maximize profits.
Here at Upright Labs, we support this thriving industry by offering a comprehensive software solution designed specifically for books and media resale: Neatoscan Books & Media. It simplifies inventory management, optimizes pricing, provides integrated reporting tools, and expands your reach across top online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay. We are committed to empowering retailers to streamline their books and media operations, ensuring they can capitalize on the opportunities presented at events like TREX. By providing tailored solutions and expert support, we help our partners navigate the evolving landscape of the bookselling market.
Upright Labs was proud to be an exhibitor at TREX with our team members Shaye Hull, Account Executive for Books, and Drew Purcell, Account Manager, in attendance. The event provided networking opportunities with industry professionals and insights into the secondhand book market, a sector projected to reach $45 billion by 2031. We love supporting purchases of pre-loved titles because it fosters sustainability and is a cost-effective, convenient option for consumers.
Our Upright Labs team built on our existing expertise by gaining additional insights into bookseller trends and takeaways, which we’ll leverage to further support secondhand sellers:

#1: Emphasis on Remaindered Titles
As retailers prepare for the upcoming holiday season, the focus on remaindered titles—discounted and no longer in print—has become more pronounced. The increased presence of remainder companies at this event reflects the market’s adaptation to seasonal buying patterns. Almost 25% of all book sales over the year occur during this time. In 2019, over 173 million books in the United States were sold during November and December, which means that one in four books that year was sold during the holiday season.
By stocking up on remaindered titles, secondhand sellers are filling their shelves while capitalizing on a growing market opportunity that aligns with consumer preferences for value and sustainability. This strategy allows them to effectively cater to budget-conscious shoppers who appreciate the charm of pre-loved books as unique gifts.

“Secondhand sellers are strategically stocking up on remaindered book titles for the holiday push, tapping into a unique market opportunity.”
Shaye Hull

#2: Strong Presence of UK Publishers
The September show highlighted a significant presence of large UK publishers. By consolidating shipments and sending larger quantities directly to the US, these publishers can significantly reduce shipping costs. This approach enhances their profit margins and enables them to offer competitive pricing on new titles.
For retailers, this means access to a wider range of products at more attractive price points, allowing them to better meet consumer demand. UK publishers are tapping into this lucrative market, benefitting both themselves and retailers in the ever-evolving book industry.

“There was a significant presence of large UK publishers, as it’s more cost-effective for them to ship large quantities to the US rather than from the UK. [Regarding the September show] we have some awesome networking and learning opportunities here…it’s worth it to keep coming back.”
Shaye Hull

#3: New Titles vs. Remaindered Focus
It’s important to note that there were opportunities to explore new, fresh releases for print at the September show, even as it prominently featured remaindered titles. Publishers were present, offering new titles for attendees to purchase. This blend of fresh and remaindered titles positions sellers to meet diverse customer needs and preferences effectively.
However, many buyers in attendance were still managing inventory from larger orders placed during the TREX conference held back in May. The timeline for processing these orders plays a crucial role; it typically takes a couple of months for buyers to receive their new stock in the mail due to the printing and shipping process. As a result, by September, many buyers are focused on managing their existing inventory to prepare for the holiday season. This creates an opportunity for remaindered titles, because they are already printed, can ship immediately, and are ready to be listed for sale.
At Upright Labs, we can help streamline your inventory management and multi-channel listing with Neatoscan Books & Media software solution. Working alongside us as an integration partner provides you with advanced repricing and integrated reporting tools to help drive profits for your e-commerce organization.

“Publishers are showcasing new, fresh titles for print, but the focus this time was largely on remaindered books.”
Drew Purcell

The Path Forward
Attending the TREX conference was a great opportunity for us at Upright Labs to engage in meaningful conversations with publishers, booksellers, and other attendees. We were thrilled to share insights about the transformative impact of our Neatoscan Books & Media software on their business models. Enlightening industry professionals about the innovative capabilities of our solutions allowed us to contribute to their understanding of the evolving bookselling landscape and the exciting trends shaping this growing market.
As we look ahead, Neatoscan Books & Media will continue to play a vital role in this market. Our all-in-one platform simplifies managing your books and media from acquisition to sale, ensuring seamless operations every step of the way to empower you to thrive in this dynamic environment.
Attending the TREX conference reinforced our already deep understanding of the industry, while providing valuable insights and perspectives from our customers and other booksellers, further enriching our knowledge of their needs and challenges. We are inspired by the potential of the secondhand book market and the opportunities that lie ahead. As secondhand sellers increasingly embrace new and remaindered titles, we remain committed to supporting your journey. Together, we can navigate these exciting developments and elevate your books and media business to new heights!
If you are interested in learning how Neatoscan Books & Media can elevate your e-commerce operations, you can schedule a personalized demo here.