The bookstore industry has been hit hard by the changing times. Bookstores are slowly disappearing, and the industry climate remains dim and challenging. Bookstores now compete with online behemoths such as Amazon.com where the selection is very wide and varied, and oftentimes offer lower prices than the traditional type of bookstores.
Bookstores are also suffering from the growing popularity of digital books. Ebooks are gaining steam with the popularity of portable ebook devices such as Kindle, Nook and tablet devices such as iPad. The International Digital Publishing Forum reports that sales of ebooks are on an upward trend , indicating that users are starting to exchange hard cover books with digital formats.
As a result, many independent book sellers are closing shops. Even the big bookstore chains are suffering: Borders filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in February 2011 and had to close a lot of their stores.
Given the tough economic climate, it is interesting to see how the small independent bookstores are coping – and surviving.
Learn how one independent book seller in Florida is surviving and thriving despite the grim prospects of his industry. Read “How a Bookstore is Surviving Tough Times”
