Are Bookstores Going Out of Business?
Bookstores Going Out
Despite the fact that many people are asking if bookstores are going out of business, Americans still have a healthy number of bookstores. In 1931, there were 4,000 places to buy books in the United States. In 2019, there were approximately one bookstore for every 54,299 people in the U.S. These establishments generate revenue, jobs, and tax revenue for local communities.
In addition, independent books are a great place to browse and explore new ideas. In many cases, they are also a safe place for people to meet new people and have a meditative experience. The American Booksellers Association has begun a campaign to encourage consumers to shop early. Many stores have rearranged their layouts to accommodate customers, which helps alleviate crowding by aisles.
Many independent bookstores also focus on offering personal recommendations and in-store events. Some stores, such as Barnes & Noble, have invested in digital technology. However, many book retailers operate on paper-thin margins. The high cost of real estate and the high cost of living make opening a store difficult.
Are Bookstores Going Out of Business?
Independent bookstores have faced competition from big-box stores and e-book stores for years. While these stores have made significant investments, they have struggled to compete with their online counterparts. Amazon, for example, is putting many independent bookstores out of business.
Amazon opened its first brick-and-mortar bookstore in Seattle in 2015, aiming to bring the online shopping experience to physical stores. It stocked books with high ratings and displayed reviews from its website. The stores had Plexiglas barriers to limit the number of shoppers.
Borders, on the other hand, didn’t have the foresight to foresee the rise of e-books. It also barely advertised its e-book devices. While the company has invested in digital technology, it has not developed its own e-reader. It is possible that Borders’ closing will help independent bookstores. But it’s also possible that the closure will signal the end of massive mall-like stores. In any case, Amazon is destroying the brick-and-mortar bookstore industry.
Amazon’s treatment of its employees has changed its narrative. Employees have unionized since COVID-19. In addition, Amazon is taking losses on book sales, which means it has to turn a profit on other goods. Amazon has also recently started to focus on grocery markets and department store concepts. In addition, the company has made it unsafe for employees to work with shipping boxes.
Amazon may be putting bookstores out of business, but some book retailers are thriving. In fact, the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, which awards grants to bookstore owners, distributed $2.7 million to store owners last year. This was an increase of 443% from last year.
But Amazon has a way to go before it can completely destroy the brick-and-mortar bookstore industry. They have to deal with the fact that consumers are opting to spend their disposable income on other things, such as TV and gadgets. In addition, the company has lowered its prices to consumers, making it cheaper to buy books online than it is to buy them in a bookstore.