Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Lyle Jordan
MV64, as someone who works in a bookstore, I'd think you would know the answer to this question.
When I used to be a regular at a bookstore, the owner and half the staff knew me well. We would talk about books, they would tell me about new books and comics that came in that they knew I'd like, and (here's the hook) I bought more books than at any other time in my life.
Friendly and knowledgeable salespeople can sell more product than anonymous computer programs, because they know people in general, and hopefully, they know you. This is the greatest strength of a physical bookstore, and as long as they can still sell product at the store, they are worth going to.
I envision a place that looks like a large lounge, with comfy chairs arranged singly and in groups around small tables, each with monitors to search for or browse ebooks. The seats have built-in noise-canceling earphones, so you can browse a book in peace, or listen to a video promotion for a book. Salespeople would greet you, directing you to a seat, and asking a bit about what you're looking for. Once you sit at a seat with a monitor, they can help you browse or make suggestions, or leave you to your own devices. Refreshments are available.
There would be a section of shelves holding printed books that are mainly there for physically browsing a book. There would be enough room about for people to stand around and talk about books.
And when you're ready to buy, you'd buy right there at the store, through a wired or wireless portal for the store that would ensure they get a cut of the sale. You could also leave the store, and but the book through the store's online portal. Regular purchases would earn you discounts on other in-store merch, such as coffee or snacks, giving you more reason to come back.
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I don't think you're going to get that with an e-bookstore, though. I highly doubt it would make enough money to hire people, and even if you did, without a large selection of physical books it'd be a terrible place to work, just waiting for someone to ask you a question about a book.
What you described is basically a coffee shop, which would be the biggest competitor to an e-book store and would prevent any from getting off the ground, I think.