Quote:
Originally Posted by kjk
No one mentioned "to use the bathrooms" yet?
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LOL
Regarding direction of bookstores... I think a key is atmosphere and location, and prices. The latter is probably harder to accomplish along with the first two, but they can try a bit.
The Barnes and Noble here seems to thrive. It's in the mall - at the main entrance, next to the theatre. People drop in and hang around to peruse, enjoy the cafe, and impulse buy a lot of things that aren't books. It's usually the place to meet someone if you're going to a movie.
The only thing they've not done so well, imo, is make the atmosphere as inviting as their other store about 10 miles south. It doesn't have as convenient location, but it's buzzing too. There, the ceilings are lower, the shelves are higher, and there are more deep, comfortable sofas and cubbies to settle in. i used to spend hours there every week, it was so much like a second home, and the longer I stayed, the higher my stack of take-home books got.
Of course, that was before I got an ereader. Now, I go in, peruse, but only books that I want to hold, like big, beautiful hardcovers. Children's books, and others with lots of pictures.
I also spend a lot on book gadgets - lights, holders, book-themed things, like frames, cups, and games for kids.
I guess my answer is - I'd make it like a very inviting library people are drawn to and no one wants to leave, give out free or very cheap coffee... warm service, etc. Any sour face gets fired, and give (don't make them fill out some long form) people cards they can have punched so for every 5 books or whatever, they get a discount on something, so they'll feel a connection and desire to come back.
They could also have a better computer system that not only lets you look up books but see reviews. The lack of that kept me from buying many books I came across in the store - I wanted to go home and check Amazon reviews first.