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Borders collapsed years ago. Barnes & Noble only stayed afloat by selling real estate, then got bought out by a UK investor primed to restart the brand... until COVID19 slammed them into the toilet
Small book stores died under both corporations and again under COVID
What next?
Small book stores died under both corporations and again under COVID
What next?
I've got a couple ideas, but judging the book store future is like reading a crystal ball through a kaleidoscope
With the big guys gone, small book stores could make a return. The big guys died mostly because of corporate publishers packing them with unsellable trash
With the big guys gone, small book stores could make a return. The big guys died mostly because of corporate publishers packing them with unsellable trash
That's why Borders became a movie store with a coffee shop, and Barnes & Noble became a toy store
Both stocked books no customer wanted
Digital reading also hurt sales, but focusing on bad products was a serious poison
Both stocked books no customer wanted
Digital reading also hurt sales, but focusing on bad products was a serious poison
It's possible small book stores could return, but in the age of COVID, who knows? They're non-essential, and it takes capital to open a store and buy stock
And who would you buy stock from? The big publishers are now desperate to unload their unsellable books on anyone they can
And who would you buy stock from? The big publishers are now desperate to unload their unsellable books on anyone they can
Where would you open your shop? The major cities are bleeding industry right now as people flee the riots and disasters
One landmark book store in Minneapolis that drew tourists from all across the States burned to the ground during the riots, gone forever
Who would reopen?
One landmark book store in Minneapolis that drew tourists from all across the States burned to the ground during the riots, gone forever
Who would reopen?
And opening a business in the modern climate is like trying to swim with cement shoes
Corporations sweep up the cash, small business collapse or are barred entirely from even unlocking their front door
Corporations sweep up the cash, small business collapse or are barred entirely from even unlocking their front door
Still, despite everything, it's possible book stores could make a return
Especially as the big online digital book stores (Really just Amazon) crack down on censorship. And there's been talk of anti-trust suits against Amazon as it is, which could splinter digital book markets
Especially as the big online digital book stores (Really just Amazon) crack down on censorship. And there's been talk of anti-trust suits against Amazon as it is, which could splinter digital book markets
There's really no way of knowing if book stores will return. If they do, they'll need to cater to a specific feel. The joy of sitting in a nice chair and reading in a pile of paperbacks. The feel of real books in your hands. The guarantee of protection from censorship.
In the end, I look forward to the reinvention of the book store
20 years from now I'm sure I'll stroll into some shop and have a twenty-something future-hipster explain to me that ancient Man once sold paper copies of digital books
"Weren't 1900s people weird?"
20 years from now I'm sure I'll stroll into some shop and have a twenty-something future-hipster explain to me that ancient Man once sold paper copies of digital books
"Weren't 1900s people weird?"
