Starting a bookshop

[MagratLancre]

Hi everyone, just after some advice. It's a dream of mine to open a bookshop. I'm a librarian at the moment so I know a lot about the book trade, new releases, best sellers etc. I'd love to open a bookshop and do lots of reading groups, events etc. I can't do it now as I don't have the money or time but it is a long term plan I think.
Does anyone have any experience of this that they'd be willing to share?

Hello, my ex worked in a book shop. It was near a university so did a great trade in textbooks. In the end it couldn't compete with (a) the convenience of Amazon and (b) the charity bookshops that had hardly any outgoings (e.g. certain business rates or buying stock).

Thinking of the successful independent bookshops I know they either seem to offer "an experience" with a cafe or craft shop or, more likely, a niche specialism such as geek/alternative.

I think your dream sounds amazing. Can you start by running the odd event or a pop-up bookshop?

I will DM you.

Thanks both!

I don't have experience myself but there is an excellent independent bookshop near me which seems to do very well.

Their USP seems to be very knowledgeable and helpful staff and nothing is too much trouble. They don't have a cafe but have a fantastic range of cards (think arty cards and Museums & Galleries type cards).

It's always very busy and they change their window regularly.

Let me know if you want a link to their website and I'll DM you.

I have a really lovely local bookshop but the problem is that the books are so expensive. I can see why, as they only sell a few copies of each, but I can see why customers won't actually buy anything there.

I'm friends with a woman at Waterstones who used to organise author events - she said that every day she sees people look at the books then get out their phones and order from Amazon.

Supermarkets offer bestsellers for about £3.80 or so - in a bookshop that would be £7.99 or £8.99. How many customers do you think will pay that?