25 Things Learned From Opening a Bookstore - Page 3

SensualPoet · 01-29-2012, 12:06 PM

The thread is titled:

25 Things Learned From Opening a Bookstore

The number one thing ought to be:

Don't Do It!

FizzyWater · 01-29-2012, 03:29 PM

You know, I wonder if a small bookstore could help cover losses by offering classes on how to use the various versions of eBook readers? Charge a nominal fee for the class, then be sure to show the class visitors your website with links tied to your Affiliate program.

The one thing that small bookstores (like most SMALL business) have over the large ones is personal service. Get user loyalty going, and offer something different, and they might be able to keep the business going...

Most people new to e-readers will still want print books for a while. Speaking only for myself, it took about 5 years before I switched completely to digital versions (although part of that had to do with the minimal selection available back in 2002 when I first started buying eBooks).

I think in bigger cities, small bookstores have a harder time because B&N (or BAMM or whatever) will come in and "take over". But I don't know...it's funny to read in other threads about how B&N sold books at a discount, when I tend to think of them as more expensive that discount stores, where I always bought books (I never buy hardbacks, which might be where the difference is).

fjtorres · 01-29-2012, 05:28 PM

There is always room for specialty shops in every product... somewhere.
The question is, in fact, finding the right place for the product/service you specialize in.

The biggest problem facing bookstores is their cash cow has turned generic; the bigh volume movers--the so-called bestsellers--are available everywhere.
Their second biggest problem is that the rest of their product catalog is slow-moving, inventory-clogging, and is readily found online from vendors with enough reach and volume to be able to sell it at way lower prices.

This forces bookstores to sell service more than product.
Note what people who swear by B&M retailers focus on: the experience.
Note what people who swear at B&M retailers focus on: the experience.

If you find the right location and the right staff, you might actually survive opening a bookstore. Even in this climate.
But its not a trivial *if*.

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01-29-2012, 12:06 PM	#31
SensualPoet Wizard Posts: 2,302 Karma: 2607151 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo	The thread is titled: 25 Things Learned From Opening a Bookstore The number one thing ought to be: *Don't Do It!*

01-29-2012, 03:29 PM	#32
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	You know, I wonder if a small bookstore could help cover losses by offering classes on how to use the various versions of eBook readers? Charge a nominal fee for the class, then be sure to show the class visitors your website with links tied to your Affiliate program. The one thing that small bookstores (like most SMALL business) have over the large ones is personal service. Get user loyalty going, and offer something different, and they might be able to keep the business going... Most people new to e-readers will still want print books for a while. Speaking only for myself, it took about 5 years before I switched completely to digital versions (although part of that had to do with the minimal selection available back in 2002 when I first started buying eBooks). I think in bigger cities, small bookstores have a harder time because B&N (or BAMM or whatever) will come in and "take over". But I don't know...it's funny to read in other threads about how B&N sold books at a discount, when I tend to think of them as more expensive that discount stores, where I always bought books (I never buy hardbacks, which might be where the difference is).

01-29-2012, 05:28 PM	#33
fjtorres Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,732 Karma: 128354696 Join Date: May 2009 Location: 26 kly from Sgr A* Device: T100TA,PW2,PRS-T1,KT,FireHD 8.9,K2, PB360,BeBook One,Axim51v,TC1000	There is always room for specialty shops in every product... somewhere. The question is, in fact, finding the right place for the product/service you specialize in. The biggest problem facing bookstores is their cash cow has turned generic; the bigh volume movers--the so-called bestsellers--are available everywhere. Their second biggest problem is that the rest of their product catalog is slow-moving, inventory-clogging, and is readily found online from vendors with enough reach and volume to be able to sell it at way lower prices. This forces bookstores to sell service more than product. Note what people who swear by B&M retailers focus on: the experience. Note what people who swear at B&M retailers focus on: the experience. If you find the right location and the right staff, you might actually survive opening a bookstore. Even in this climate. But its not a trivial if.