Through a collaboration with Bookshop.org, Spotify will enable users to buy physical books

Spotify said Thursday that it will begin selling physical books on its streaming platform through a partnership with online store Bookshop.org, marking an unexpected expansion beyond its audiobook business.

The company is bolstering new features to better compete with rival streaming services from tech giants such as Apple and Amazon.

Since launching audiobooks two years ago, Audiobooks in Premium has expanded to 22 global markets and its English-language catalog has grown to more than 500,000 titles, Spotify said. Its new listeners increased by 36% over the previous year and listening hours grew by 37%, it added.

According to Spotify, consumers in the US and the UK will be able to purchase actual books later this spring. Bookshop.org will handle distribution, inventory, and pricing for these books.

A commission will be paid to Spotify for purchases made through its app.

The company’s decision coincides with a slowdown in traditional book sales as more people rely on e-books and other online resources.