Is the fate of book stores
a cliffhanger? this is suggested in a report in The
Economist headlined The future of the bookstore: A real
cliffhanger. The reason for this question is apparently due to
the onslaught of e-books and e-tailers like Amazon, with the inevitable
comparison to the music industry.First, for the bookstore, the report says: 'For a bookstore to remain successful, it must improve “the experience of buying books," says Alex Lifschultz, an architect whose London-based practice is designing the new Foyles. He suggests an array of approaches: "small, quiet spaces cocooned with books; larger spaces where one can dwell and read; other larger but still intimate spaces where one can hear talks from authors about books, literature, science, travel and cookery." The atmosphere is vital, he adds. Exteriors must buzz with activity, entrances must be full of eye-catching presentations and a bar and cafĂ© is essential.'
Weren't most book stores already doing these things? Quiet cosy nooks, areas for talks, grand entrance displays and cafe's. Borders started this trend, and was very successful initially; people loved it, and everyone else imitated them. But they were also very silly about it, and went broke. Why did they go broke? Was it a problem with the management, the book-retail model, or the industry? Improving the experience of buying books is good. Loyalty is good. But what do customers really want? Unfortunately, only real book buyers know what they want in a book store. Mr Alex Lifshultz, are you a book buyer? Do you read? Do you have a library in your house? How big is your collection? Do you like hanging about in bookshops? What do you expect them to be?
The book seems to be the only commodity that is sold by people with little or no product knowledge. No none would buy electrical or electronic goods from someone who does not even know where the 'on' switch is. I remember my visit to Foyles many years ago, and how I was immediately impressed by how much the staff knew. For one thing, the book is not a commodity to start with. For another, change is not going to come from the big boys; they are the reason for the mess we're in.
I just read about an Indie Bookseller Award short-list in the UK. That's where I believe the change will take place. The indies will have to make many sacrifices of course. Many have told me that they've always loved the idea of setting up bookshops. Here are some suggestions:
- don't set up a bookshop because you think it's cool; or
because
you think you won't have much to do; or you can read all day; or
because you have nothing better to do. Set it up if that's what
you absolute want to do, and be prepared to work like a slave.
- go local, cater to your town/region, build an in-shop/online
community, promote your local writers, hold events, stock their
books, even if they're self published, go to the universities and
colleges, both faculty and students make good markets if you
stock the type of books they want.
- pick a niche you're good in, could be anything, but know it
well, give it your best shot.
- choose your books carefully, they should reflect the
character of the owner; browse in remaindered stores for good
bargains, forget about stocking current bestsellers unless the
publishers are willing to give you the same terms they offer
Amazon (even if you're buying only two copies), there's no need
for you to become Amazon's showroom, but provide
the option of back to back orders; consult your customers (they
may know of books you don' or have missed), will also help build
the community.
- don't spend a fortune on fancy architects (whether they read, or not). A friend down the road might be able to help you at a fraction of the cost.
