Amazon's annual Prime Day sale began early Tuesday, with several cookbooks marked down for the 48-hour event. Titles featured in the sale include recent releases from well-known chefs and food writers. Prices for some hardcover cookbooks have dropped by as much as 40 percent, according to listings reviewed at noon.
Local bookstore managers in Manhattan reported a slight dip in foot traffic Tuesday morning, attributing it to online deal hunting. At Kitchen Arts & Letters on Lexington Avenue, staff noted an uptick in customers asking for price matches. Owner Nach Waxman said, 'We see more requests for discounts whenever Amazon runs these sales.'
Cooks and restaurant staff on break at Madison Square Park mentioned using the sale to replace worn reference books. One sous chef from a Midtown bistro said she ordered three titles during her lunch hour. 'It’s a good time for staff gifts,' she added, 'especially with summer schedules shifting.'
Publishers often use Prime Day to clear inventory ahead of the autumn release cycle. Several publishers confirmed that higher-profile cookbooks, including those focused on summer grilling and vegetable recipes, are among the most discounted this week. The sale is scheduled to end Wednesday night, with some deals expected to expire sooner.