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Original poster

would you use an independent book shop?

92 replies

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/03/2010 22:22

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...

OP posts:

TwoIfBySea · 03/03/2010 22:59

Oh and to add, the nursery class at dts school buy all their stock from that shop too.

Ivykaty44 · 03/03/2010 23:03

I really like second hand book shops - there is one on the Logos portugal that sell and also take in exchange secong hand books, they have internet aswell - touristy and english books for holiday makers. I can't get that on amazon and also if there was one in my town I would go there to have a coffee and fresh homemade bread for home and browse the second hand books and buy of priced correctly.

So you owuld get three sales through one door with me

see the other thread for stuff about councils and planning etc

LittlePushka · 03/03/2010 23:03

Hi Vicar! Would it be genaral or "themed"/tailored to a particular sector? I think that the coffee shop idea has great pull - especially if it is a cosy sort of cafe with a homely feel.

What I WOULD be drawn to in an independent bookshop would be book groups/ poetry events/ local author evenings etc which Amazon NEVER do!

We have no independents in my town and the two cains we have are a bit souless. I suspect an independent would go down very well in some of the larger villages/edge of town places where parking is easy and there are also more older/retired folk.

Good luck to DH - great to hacve a rainbow to chase I think!

Original poster

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/03/2010 23:04

thanks again, all food for thought.

OP posts:

frazzled74 · 03/03/2010 23:05

i dream about a bookshop/coffeeshop with a nice childrens book area, maybe a weekly storytelling hour, kids entertained whilst parents buy coffee, cake and books. Maybe specialise with local history books and local authors. Maybe a small antique book section as well.Go for it.

TopoftheMorning · 03/03/2010 23:07

on one hand the coffee shop + bookshop would entice me in for sure, and I would probably end up buying a book a week on that basis.

however, I live near both a Waterstones and an independent seller, and Waterstones usually gets my trade ... did want to support the local guy but he just can't discount so I see a book at full price in his window and I know that 10 mins walk away I can buy the same at 25-50% discount. Also I get points with my waterstones card and thus further discounts.

AND ds (2.10) can browse the books more easily at Waterstones, they are more laid back about him picking up the books whereas independent man told him not to touch. I can absolutely see why, in particular when he has limited stock and high costs etc. I was in the process of telling ds to put the book down myself, nor do I let him maul the books at Waterstones, but the indy man's brusque approach made me realise that right now his is not the right shop for me. (and in fact we are using the library a lot more.)

so catering for children alongside adults is possibly a tricky one if you are a small book shop - but they are not likely to be your main audience? second hand books for children as part of a new book shop would be good.

where the independent man is good is local history.

Original poster

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/03/2010 23:12

thanks for all the replies - it really is good to get loads of opinions.

my thinking is there is no reason it wont work IF he gets it right, but, of course getting it right is the hard part!

it isnt something he is going to rush into, its going to need some planning.

but thanks again, opinions really welcome - please keep them coming! ta

OP posts:

Lemonmeringue · 03/03/2010 23:19

If you go ahead, contact the local library authority and find out whether it has a policy of supporting local independents. I used to work for a library service which bought most of its stock from library suppliers, but spent a certain amount of its budget at small local shops. This might be a thing of the past, or it might become so shortly, but it would be worth factoring in to your plans.

SheikDjabouti · 03/03/2010 23:23

Also might be worth having a chat with the independent booksellers association....

paisleyleaf · 03/03/2010 23:25

We have a great children's bookshop/cafe, with lots going on; events, storytelling, clothes swap, pink milk, crafts, illustrating.
As SheikDjabouti says - maybe it's better if the bookselling isn't the main revenue.

Original poster

ThatVikRinA22 · 03/03/2010 23:29

thats a really interesting idea paisleyleaf...

thanks again everyone, really helpful to get ideas/opinions.
ive got ideas hatching all over the place now...

OP posts:

paisleyleaf · 03/03/2010 23:35

It's called 'Mr and Mrs Doak's bumper bookshop' if you're interested in looking it up.
I think they're doing okay (even with amazon/recession) as they've recently opened another shop.

Quattrocento · 03/03/2010 23:39

I'd prefer to

But unfortunately, the way my life is, I'd not end up using one. Unless it was located at King's Cross or London Bridge.

RedbinDippers · 03/03/2010 23:42

Amazon for new, charity shops for second hand.

ButterPie · 03/03/2010 23:42

I would, in theory, go to an independent, but in practise tend to see a book I fancy online and buy it on amazon, then buy a load of "if you like that, you will like this" things as well.

Saying that, I used to buy at least one book a week in my local secondhand bookshop when there was one on my general wandering route. Stuck in a suburb now though, and haven't found many little shops in the city (Newcastle-any ideas anyone? I have found the amnesty shop, which is ace, but anywhere else?)

I really should buy less books though. I have a massive backlog in my "to read" pile.

Poledra · 03/03/2010 23:43

There's another poster on here who runs an independent bookshop - I don't think I'm giving away any secrets as she's mentioned it on here, that's the only reason I know. So if you see nickelbabe about the boards, she might be someone to talk to....

I would use an independent bookshop, especially one that knows its stock and can recommend for me based on what I've read before. You just can't browse on Amazon! And I'd be even more likely to go if it had a good children's section - that would make me more likely to buy as my kids would want their new book straight away, not have to wait for a delivery in a week or so.

elkiedee · 03/03/2010 23:54

Our local indie bookshop is turning two this month, I think. Waterstones took over Ottakars in our North London high street (Wood Green) and closed it down. Two former employees there set up our lovely indie shop.

The Big Green bookshop doesn't have a cafe but there is one just next door, they do offer people coffee though, and they have lots of book events. One of the two men who own the business has a dp who is on mumsnet - they have a little girl of about 2 and another due any day. They're online and on Facebook and I'm sure they would talk to your dh about how they've found the experience.

I confess I still use Amazon a lot, but we've spent about £70 in Christmas and birthday book tokens and another £20 in our local bookshop in the last two or three months. I'm sure that if I could get to all the events I'd like to (difficult with work, a nearly 3 year old and a 1 year old who need a regular bedtime routine), I'd spend a lot more.

I always spend some money in my mum's local indie.

CookingUpaWonder · 04/03/2010 13:29

We have a couple in the area, the best one is a kids bookshop. "The Golden Treasury". It does a lot events and publicizes its activities pretty well in the local area.

If independents are to work I think they need to remodel themselves a proper bookshop/cafe secondhand trade would work - but then you need a big space it is all a risk. Publishers and writers are worth talking to because they are very supportive. 1 to promote themselves and 2 get in on the independent thing - once you have a reputation, it spreads. New York bookshops are good at this stuff.

Rob

Kaloki · 04/03/2010 13:40

I would for definate, you can't use amazon to browse so well. Bookshops are just so much better.

poledra is spot on about recommending books, it's why I love waterstones as they do that

MrsJohnDeere · 04/03/2010 13:51

In theory, I would. In practice I'd probably go in, make a mental note of titles I was interested in, then go home and order from Amazon.

I'd use an independent (over Waterstones, or Amazon eg) for impulsive purchases, presents, or things which I thought wouldn't be discounted by much on Amazon, but only if the customer service was excellent.

I admire your dh for thinking about it. As a former bookshop manager (Ottakar's many years ago) I know how hard running a bookshop can be. People always imagine it involves sitting around reading books and having intelligent conversations. My abiding memories were of being physically exhausted at the end of each day from shifting heavy box after heavy box, and my hands bleeding from eczema caused by all the dust that books gather. Wouldn't go back to that for anything!

yumimummi · 04/03/2010 13:58

I love independent bookshops - the whole vibe is so different from a huge chain - however good they are. There are a couple I go to on a regular basis, one of which is a specialist childrens bookshop but also has a small adult section. The books do seem to be tailored to the demographic of the customers / local area so I think it can work if you know your target audience and as everyone has said depending on where you live. The ones I am thinking of are all in very affluent areas (Wimbledon/Richmond/Southfields) with lots of mums who like nice things & not necessarily looking for a deal/ discount! I still buy from Amazon but I am one of those people who like to handle the books and be able to look at the covers and I think that is nice for the kids too - the whole process of browsing / looking at the pictures etc. The Borders near me had a Starbucks in which was often full of mums & buggies and I like the idea of buying a book and sitting down for a few mins for a quiet read so it sounds lovely. No idea if it makes financial sense though!

Good luck

Original poster

ThatVikRinA22 · 04/03/2010 14:33

thanks again everyone, he has been looking again today, there are lots of potential cities/towns we could look at as where we are has very good motorway links, so really need to have a think about what would work and where. we are very close to York, Beverley, Hull, Leeds, Sheffield, really think the most important thing is location then tailoring for the locality.

really need to consider everything, but this input is really helpful, so thankyou.

OP posts:

Rocinante · 04/03/2010 14:43

The thing with bookshops is that you need an large initial outlay on stock which may end up staying on the shelf for a long time

Most books are bought on a sale or return basis but the length of time between initial purchase and eventual money back from the publishers/wholesalers can be quite long. All the while you have to pay for premises, utilities, rates, staff etc. Poor cash flow is a major factor in the closure of independent bookshops, especially since the larger players nab most of the "easy" sales.

I think he would have to be very brave to do it, and would really benefit from speaking to someone who has run their own bookshop about the financing aspect.

NinjaChipmunk · 04/03/2010 14:45

sounds like a nice idea, could he also sell mailorder on amazon/ bookpeople/ abe books etc as part of his business to get more trade? that way he is not so reliant on just the shop to make the money?

nighbynight · 04/03/2010 15:30

I buy a lot of books, but the only things I buy off Amazon are where I know beforehand exactly what I am after (and cant wait!)
I find Amazon a very unsatisfactory browsing experience.
There are several independent bookshops in our town (in southern germany) - but the town centre is generally full of independent traders, so more favourable than the uk.

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