What would you like to see in your local bookstore?

Question

I co-own a used book store in a small town. It's the biggest bookstore in the entire valley we live in - the next big store is 45 mins away.

Problem is, we are in the "out of the way" town. We've been open for a year and have built up a small customer base but we're no where near actually profiting from local sales yet. I know a business takes time. We do have a large inventory because we've "collected" books for years.

Anyways, the point of the question is I am re-vamping the store. I recently rearranged the entire setup for an easier flow, allowing us to add shelves for more inventory. Am in the process of being able to accept debit/credit cards.

My question to you is: What would you like to see in your local bookstore? Or what is your favorite thing about your local bookstore?

We've been wanting to carry Anime for awhile because it seems to be a hot niche of books but we haven't yet.

So if anyone has any input, i'd appreciate it. Thank you.

Answer 1

About a month ago, I read an AWESOME book called "Gamma229 and the Battle for Earth," but sadly, I had to buy it online because it is not available in any bookstore or library! I would like to see this book is more stores because it is a terrific story!  

Answer 2

Maybe somwhere for customers to sit/lay down after buying a book. They might want to hang in the store for  a bit and read their purchase.

I think having coffee or tea for sale would be appreciated by costumers while browsing and reading.

I think you should have an area just for Bestsellers. I know when i'm in a used book store i have a hard time looking through all the different books. Lots of the times i just look for one that has been one of the New York Times Bestsellers because i know it should be good.

Definitley have a teen section! If you don't you need one. Teens don't want to look through a bunch of adult stuff to find a book they're looking for. It's hard work!

Good luck!

Answer 3

Knowledgeable clerks -- about books in general, but also about the stock in the store.  Places to sit and browse.  A comfortable atmosphere.  A reason to spend time there, as opposed to shopping for the book on line -- so make it browser friendly.  A cat.  Sell coffee.  Have a plate of cookies set out.  Run book groups, or offer to let book groups meet there.    

Answer 4

Honestly the thing that I like best about the bookstores we have here is that they have a place where you can sit down and skim through the books before buying them.  A lot of people I know want to be able to read a little bit of the book to make sure they like it before they pay money and find out it's not something they really want.

A larger YA section.  There seems to be more books in the section for the younger kids but not much for young adults.  Teens aren't the only ones who read YA books, I'm 30 and that's pretty much all I read.

Another suggestion would be to host a book chat.  Maybe once a month create a club of sorts where people can come and talk about books.  Either one book in particular or just books in general.  It could help bring people into your store, including people who might not know you're there now.  It wouldn't have to be anything fancy, just a little get together for the locals.

Along the same lines you could host a writers' critque group.  I'm willing to bet that you have people in your community who are writers and critque groups are a great way to learn about writing.  And one of the things that any good writer will tell you, the key to writing is reading.

Another thing you could try is to host a contest like once a quarter.  You wouldn't have to offer cash prizes, instead you could offer credits toward books in your store.  You might even gear a contest toward kids and/or teens.  A writing contest and the prize could be a free book from your store.  This creates goodwill, but it also means that someone has to take the winner to pick up their prize.  And while the winner is looking for a book, the one who took them to your store is also likely to browse and very possibly buy a book.

The only other thing I'd suggest is sending out a survery to some of the people where you're at and see what suggestions they have.

Answer 5

Topless Librarians!

Answer 6

First question : Honestly, do you have friendly, knowledgeable people as employees who can point to 90% of what's in stock? Believe me, it is very frustrating when employees are not familiar with their store.

2) How is the store decorated? Is it bright and energetic? Or is it warm and cozy? Either way, I would prefer that a bookstore feel like one of these options for me to buy.

3) Do you have books from even the more obscure people like Nawal el Saadawi or Elena Poniatowska?

4) You could also sell knickknacks like book journals , regular journals (check out journals from Peter Pauper press and The Paperblanks Book Company  at amazon.com. They're truly lovely.)

I hope these ideas grant you further success. Best of everything to you.