Quote:
Originally Posted by barryem
What's happening is really kind of interesting. I keep reading articles that come just short of predicting the end of B&N and other articles talking about independent bookstores coming back and thriving. A few years ago I read predictions that ebooks would replace or all but replace paper books.
Now, if what seems to be the present pattern continues, it looks like it might be the end of the super giant bookstores, the ones who put the neighborhood bookstores out of business. Of course it's too soon to predict this and I hope it doesn't happen. As much as I've always loved the little bookstores it was the big bookstores that were the most fun to browse in.
I don't get to browse in any of them anymore, unfortunately, and I miss them.
When I first retired, maybe 18 or 19 years ago, I spent a lot of days in B&N and Borders, sitting in their easy chairs, reading their books, drinking their coffee, day after day. It was great fun. I wonder if people in the future will get a chance to do that.
Barry
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I think the short answer to the Indie Bookstores thriving is that those who desperately want this to be the case are failing to take account of the closures of the big stores. See this story from Nate's Ink Bits and Pixels blog.
http://the-digital-reader.com/2015/0...-video-stores/
One interesting quote:
The death of Borders killed 405 bookstores in less than 6 months. That is huge vacuum for indies to fill, and the slow decline of Barnes & Noble is creating more opportunities for indies.
Unfortunately I think Nate is spot on. It is sad. I too love browsing book stores. But I'm sure I would have loved riding in a horse and carriage as well. I can't see the total death of the book store any time soon, though I do think you are right that the "Super Giant Bookstores" have seen their days. I think what was once a major market for paper books is slowly becoming a niche market, but I think the day when there are no retail book stores is a long way off. As always, some well run smaller stores will defy the trend and thrive in what is becoming an increasingly difficult market.