Are independent bookstores in trouble?

Feb 20 2008

Whenever another independent bookstore shuts its doors for good, we all shake our heads and say “These indies are going to be extinct before too long”. However, the news might be not all bad. I came across an interesting article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The article contends that while independent bookstores appear to be declining, just the opposite is true:

Happily, the trend is running in the opposite direction, reports the American Association of Booksellers.

The trade group for independents reported 115 new members last year, the third year in a row that more than 100 openings were recorded.

While it’s not record-breaking growth, it does show signs that maybe independent bookstores are not easily giving up. I also have a feeling that many neighborhood indies have a very loyal customer base that keeps them going, even during these times of mega-bookstores and easy online ordering.

Personally, I’d like to think that independent bookstores will be around for a long, long time. But in the end, I don’t think it will be those evil corporate giants that will force them out of business. The culprit might just be technology. If ebooks really take off and people start getting all their reading material online in the comfort of their own home, then we’re in trouble. If that happens, though, those mega-bookstores will suffer as well.

I hate even thinking about a doomsday scenario involving the bookselling industry because I love bookstores so much. I love the small, cozy neighborhood stores as well as the big mega stores you can easily get lost in. The environment is unique and I’m not sure how technology will change that.

What do you think? Will the independent bookstores survive? How do you think technology will change the way we buy books? Please feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts. I don’t bite.

2 Responses

i am glad to hear the indie bookstores are growing, although we are losing one soon in my town. i do not think ebooks will be very popular. i think people love books and bookstores as much as you and i. i don’t know of anyone who even bothers with ebooks, they all love the romance of the pages in their hands, the sense of accomplishment when they are done, and the ability to lend their favorite book to a friend. it seems to be a relationship people are not willing to surrender.

sheri 2/21/2008 6:30 am
Whoa. I’d missed that article…
I try to shop in indies whenever I can, even going to far as to order adult books from a children’s store, or non-mysteries from a mystery store.
For me, it’s that the staff knows so much more about the books they are selling. I can walk in with a copy of PW and say, “Have you heard of this?” and have a whole discussion about the book in question.
Plus, they know me. I’m not yet another person. I’m Susan, and they’re glad to see me.
Why NOT shop in a place that is your own personal Cheers?

Susan Helene Gottfried 2/21/2008 4:59 pm