Sell-through analysis is the selling activity of a textbook title within a defined period of time. The sell-through percentage is a quantification of "success" for a given title or course (arrived by averaging the sell-through of each title), and provides a point of comparison and a measure for goal setting by the textbook buyer. The higher the sell-through percentage, the lower returns/overstock a buyer will experience.

In addition, sell-through figures can signal buyers that further investigation is needed to identify and address a problem, providing them with the opportunity to alter their buying decisions and achieve a higher sell-through percentage in the future.

Computing a complete sell-through analysis for a title requires the following information: Beginning inventory (quantity from all sources including the publisher, wholesaler, buyback) The quantity on-hand after returns The quantity sold Actual enrollment in course

A complete sell-through analysis can be calculated by using these formulas:

Sell-through analysis example