would you use an independent book shop?

[ThatVikRinA22]

shameless canvassing of opinions....DH is talking of opening an independent book shop and coffee shop...do you think there is a market in this day and age? or has amazon killed the independent book seller?

i could really see him doing this but am scared it wont work...

[Lemonmeringue]

To be honest, I suspect this isn't the best time to do it.

[LittlePushka]

I never go into bookshops now. I always use amazon - mainly because they are very reasonable, can get great second hand titles and the delivery service is amazing. Some folk like to browse book shops though TBH if I want to do that I go to the library. DH is always browsing in bookshops but mainly buys on Amazon.

Do you have any local competition in the area from independents or chains?

[ThatVikRinA22]

see, the women in the bank said this is the perfect time to do it - i guess she meant if you can run a business in a recession you can run one anytime.

if its going to work it has to work no matter what the economy is doing.

so am interested, why do you think 'NO'?

[Lilymaid]

Sorry, but it wouldn't work. Since the ending of RPM on books the market has completely opened up and it would be almost impossible to compete with cost cutting supermarkets/Waterstones/Amazon.

[lowrib]

Totally depends on demand where you are.

I do use independent bookshops, but lots have been shut, haven't they? even Borders has gone bust. I suspect it's a really difficult business to get in to, and may well be a labour of love.

Having said that, if you could make it work, it would be great, I can certainly see the attraction.

Where are you?

[JaynieB]

Good luck if you go ahead - personally I use both, Amazon is unbeatable on price and range but I do love a little independent shop too. We have one near us - no coffee sadly, but a great little shop.

[FiveGoMadInDorset]

Yes, see my reply on your other thread.

[ThatVikRinA22]

hi pushka...

he wouldnt open one where we live...he is doing research now as to where the best place is, but here there are 17% of shop units empty in the town we live in, it has been hit hard in the recession so here wouldnt be a good idea, but there are some lovely affluent market/student towns nearby.

[justallovertheplace]

Not a new bookshop, no. But I would definately (and do) use a second hand bookshop. If he had a good size space and enough room to put good comfy chairs rather than wooden seats (this has become a real bugbear of mine purely for the reason that I nip in for a coffee and a read when ds is in his pushchair for his nap and I want to have a real squishy seat to sink into ) then all the better

[ThatVikRinA22]

oh thanks all...x posts galore!

he has been researching, alot of small one man band indie bookshops are doing well. he is a baker by trade and would have a small cafe also.

i know he is itching to do it, but it seems location is the main issue.

[lowrib]

I think to say it definitely wouldn't work is too harsh. I can think of some independent bookshops which are doing well (well, as far as I know, as in they haven't announced a closing down sale!). They are all niche shops, or have some kind of raison d'etre that is nothing that Waterstones etc do.

Of course you couldn't compete directly with Waterstones on price, but that's not to say it's totally unviable as an idea.

Also, the coffee shop bit could work if you were in the right area and did it right. How much experience does he have of running a bookshop / cafe / business / marketing and promotions etc?

Does he have an idea of what kind of bookshop / cafe it would be?

[foreverastudent]

fine as a hobby, not as a business

[Heated]

We devour books but have to say it's because Amazon and other sites like the BookPeople make it so easy and reasonably priced. Last books we bought did come from WHS but that was because they were heavily discounted. Waterstones are struggling and Borders (with aromatic coffee shops) have gone to the wall.

Would so love to say yes, and maybe in a niche town that fights off big developers and supports independents, like Holt in Norfolk for instance, it would work, but otherwise a tough market.

[SheikDjabouti]

I think a indie bookshop with a really well stocked children's section would do well. SInce the death of borders, my ds has nowhere to browse....sad.

I do use our independent store and amazon.

[BigBadMummy]

Dont do it. it is so cut throat. You will not be able to compete with the prices that Amazon etc negotiate (or insist the publishers supply the books at).

Our town's family run book shop that has been here for 20 years has closed down this year.

[McBitchy]

i have wanted to do this for years
have been advised against it....

[justallovertheplace]

I'm going to add to my post. I think the reason a second hand bookshop would be a better idea is simply this - the average Waterstones customer could (and by the latest figures, probably does) just order from Amazon. The people who actually enjoy going to bookshops ime rate the secondhand experience above new. In my city, there are lots of empty units too. But we have lots of secondhand bookshops that seem to be doing very well

[JaynieB]

I went to a great little coffee shop/bookshop in the Highlands (I forget where just now....poor tired brain tonight) which seemed to be specialising in utterly scrumptious cakes, outdoor books and guides with lots of (I think) American style stuff around the walls - very eclectic but busy. Niche stuff indeed.

[McBitchy]

interesting sheik - you are right about children and browsing

[ThatVikRinA22]

thanks again everyones opinion is most welcome.

lowrib - he has been running a business for someone else for the past 3 years. (though not a book shop!)

he is thinking of going for a niche market in something along side the book selling, he knows he would need to get the right location, marketing etc. the question is really whether to wait until ive got my probation in my job out of the way (two years!) and then upsticks to a more touristy place to do it, or to do it now.

i know it is something that really appeals to him and he would have to make it work. i would enlist the help of my sister who runs her own business and has done for 20 years....she could be helpful on the advice front!

[Rhian82]

There are two independent bookshops in my town (Bath) and they both seem very successful. One only opened a few years ago, everyone said they were mad to compete with Waterstones etc but they seem to do very well and won Best Independent Bookshop in the UK last year.

The service you get in one is incomparable to a chain or a website, people will pay more for that.

[SheikDjabouti]

If he can cost the cafe properly then that could be the foundation of the business revenue, with the books as added value, not the main revenue stream. That way he would not be dependent on the book sales for revenue and financial success.

(can you tell I am starting a cafe?)

[ThatVikRinA22]

he would not be in direct competition with any big book stores like waterstones. he wont be opening anywhere where there is one of these, we are thinking small market town or tourist trail....but all food for thought.

[onebadbaby]

Depends where you are, and the coffee shop will help. If we had one in my town I would deffo. be in there, especially if you can offer discount prices.

[TwoIfBySea]

There is a very successful children's book shop near where I live. Take a look at their website for ideas. They are very involved in the community, are involved in book week at my dts' school and that is without the allure of coffee.

Even though I buy the majority of books through Amazon I buy my dts' books there when I need that personal service. It is very popular.