At Night at the Bookstore? Find Your real Page Turner
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Independent bookstores are struggling to survive against the big chains and digital marketplaces around the world. Booksellers are getting creative and using many means to reach and retain customers. But can this stop the free fall of the local book trade?
Books and Podcasts
Almost 52 million books were sold in Canada in 2022. This total number of book sales has hardly changed over the last years. The Canadian book market, like many others, is characterized by the continued dominance of the printed book, but also by the growing interest in digital alternatives. In line with trends, young adult books and novels continue to be the best-selling category. Book publishers' revenue from sales to bookstores comes from independent stores rather than chains, although brick-and-mortar sales are declining overall as customers buy their books online. Given the e-commerce giant's influence in various industries, it is perhaps unsurprising that Amazon is the preferred platform for buying e-books. Amazon is followed by Apple Books, Google Play Store and Kobo, while fewer than readers buy their e-books from Barnes & Noble (paid links).
In the coming years, podcasts could play an increasingly important role in recommending books. Since tips from others can help Canadians discover and eventually read a new book, podcast creators with a loyal and trusted audience could become one of the most important factors in book discovery and purchase.
Community Hubs
Independent bookstores often serve as community centers, hosting events and book clubs and supporting local initiatives. These stores often have comfortable seating and knowledgeable staff who can make personal recommendations or simply have a conversation about books. Independent bookshops are not just about selling books, they are also a place to meet others who share the same passion for literature. Many independent bookstores not only offer events and book clubs, but also partner with local schools and organizations to promote literacy and education. This creates a strong sense of community and fosters a love of reading in the next generation. In addition, independent bookstores often offer a diverse selection of books that cannot be found in larger outlets. These smaller, specialized bookstores can cater to niche interests and provide a platform for lesser-known authors to showcase their work. This not only promotes diversity in literature, but also encourages readers to broaden their literary horizons and discover new voices.
In contrast, larger bookstore chains tend to stock popular titles and bestsellers, while lesser-known books or niche literature are often left out. This can limit the choice of literature available to readers and stifle diversity in the publishing industry. Independent bookstores play a crucial role in promoting diverse voices and providing a platform for underrepresented authors. In addition, independent bookstores often have a unique atmosphere and charm that cannot be replicated in larger chain stores. They may be housed in historic buildings or have cozy nooks and crannies for readers to explore. This creates a welcoming and intimate environment for book lovers to browse, read and engage with the books they love. In addition, many independent bookstores also offer a range of complementary products, such as locally made gifts and artisan products. This not only supports small businesses and the local economy, but also adds to the charm and character of these bookshops.
The major challenges in the European book market
Each independent bookshop has its own character and is individually furnished. This makes every store of this type unique. Whether a lone wolf or a family business, the major challenges facing bookshops in 2024 will continue to create uncertainty in this area. Economic downturns or uncertain economic conditions can affect consumer behavior. In tough economic times, consumers may cut back on spending, which affects book sales. Rent, utilities and other operating costs for retail stores can be high. Independent bookstores in particular struggle with these overhead costs, while multinational retailers, who often have significant resources at their disposal, can offer aggressive discounts. This is particularly evident in Europe. In Germany, no price promotions or special offers for books are possible due to the book price fixing law, a legal agreement between publishers and booksellers. It sets the prices at which titles should be sold to the public. The high administrative costs of running a bookshop, ongoing inflation and higher interest rates are also causing problems for the industry in Germany. Independent bookstores face tough competition from large bookstore chains and book sales in other stores such as department stores or drugstore chains. One bookseller from Germany, who does not wish to be named, sees these problems every day. "The association and politicians have let us down during the coronavirus pandemic. They all got the big financial help in the hospitality industry, but not us as small booksellers. Many independent booksellers are giving up and leaving the field to the big chains and Amazon." He has been running his bookshop in the north of Bavaria for 26 years. "People are always reading, even young people come back to buy books or even make TikTok videos in the store." His wife works in the store and is always coming up with new concepts with him to stop the decline. They haven't been going to the world's biggest book fair, which takes place every year in Frankfurt, for years. They save themselves the train journey, the fair ticket and the high priced meals at the fair. They have their own network of publishers and publishing representatives who show them the latest books.
The love of books at 1 am
Last year, they also tried out the famous "lockdown in the bookshop". The bookseller invites its customers into the bookshop in the evening and disappears. "We put out a few drinks and then leave. That way, customers can browse and read undisturbed until late at night." He came back at around 1 a.m. and everybody was so touched and happy about the time in the evening that they could spend alone with the books. Many customers have an almost erotic relationship with books and want to touch everything and then retreat into intimacy with a book. "My wife and I also thought that completely different things would happen afterwards when they were all alone." he laughs. Feeling the very special atmosphere, simply coming to rest in the bookshop in the evening and reading. It does generate a lot of sales, they report, and the customers love being able to read undisturbed without the booksellers being in the store. "They love the books at night."