In a letter to bookshops on Tuesday 11 February, Real Books announced they will cease trade in early March 2020. Owner Helena Groeneveld started the distributor in 1988, before which she managed the flagship Exclusive Books store at Hyde Park. Real Books negotiated the rights for many excellent book and stationery lists over the years including Chronicle, Phaidon, Te Neues, Ten Speed Press, Peter Pauper and of course the hugely successful Moleskine range.

The SA Booksellers Association would like to express their gratitude for the valuable service Helena and her team contributed to the trade over many years.