The demise of the book store

[disneysteve]

I almost never buy new books, and when I do, I do it online, so I hardly ever go into a bricks and mortar book store. Tonight, we happened to go to Barnes & Noble to kill some time. It has probably been 6 months to a year since I was last there. As I walked around the store, I was struck by something - the vast amount of floor space now occupied by merchandise other than books. There is a large display for the Nook e-reader and another large display of Nook accessories. There is a huge section of toys broken down by ages from infant to elementary school age. Stationery, assorted giftware, cafe offerings and more taking up space formerly occupied by books.

I suppose it is no surprise. Just the fact that the Nook is being promoted so strongly in the store explains it. And, of course, the Kindle has been the #1 selling item on Amazon for quite some time. Add in iPads and other tablet computers and smart phones with book reading apps (I have the Kindle app on my phone) and it isn't hard to figure out why book stores are now selling many things besides books.

I have a feeling that the era of the big box book superstore is past. Perhaps book stores will go back to being what they once were - smaller, more intimate spaces with character. Wouldn't that be nice?

[Mjenn]

I have also noticed the change in B&N last time I was there - I went to look for a pretty well known book - it wasn't there so they said they would order it from internet and have it shipped to my home free. Why bother going to the store?

That said, there is a new little bookstore in the town I'm from that focuses on 'experiences.' The books are much more expensive, which makes it hard for me to justify too many purchases there - but they get a lot of well-known authors and celebrities on booktours which is the draw. But I wonder if they can really compete.

I buy a lot of books - and while I hate box-stores. I guess what I miss is browsing. Sure I buy some books on recommendations, but I do a lot of reading, and love to make new discoveries by reading blurbs from my favorite authors, or backcovers that sound interesting. And stumbling across a book I had wanted to read a long time ago, but had forgotten about it.

Browsing, for me, is the main reason why I really really can't see giving up bookstores or paper books for good. Browsing on Amazon isn't the same for me. But I guess record afficianados said the same thing!

[cschin4]

I like the atmosphere at book stores. I don't mind paying for that, sitting and having a latte and browsing. And, will probably buy a book. But, in general, i don't see any reason to buy new books. Old, beat up books are fine with me as long as the binding is intact. I can't see paying retail prices for a book i will read in a day or two and toss aside. And, if it is a reference book that i will keep, i still prefer getting used all around.

[Mr Nice Guy]

Just as the MP3 wiped out the CD, the pads will probably do the same to books.

I dont own a pad yet, but I can see myself getting one, especially if they end up being a good platform for textbooks while I am still in school

[disneysteve]

Another factor, of course, is price competition. While we were at B&N, I found a book I'd like to read. It was $18.99. I pulled out my iPhone, scanned the barcode and found the same book on Amazon for $13.03. If not for the store, I never would have found this book, but why pay $7 more (with tax) to buy it there. I just dropped it in my cart and will get it from Amazon.

[greenskeeper]

this could be applied to all big commercial stores...the next shoe to drop in this "recovery" is commercial real estate. Just look around at all the vacant stores.

[snafu]

Escalating prices are a significant factor at bookstore chains. Even children's books have become a luxury. We have a Kindle and appreciate how quickly non fiction is available at significantly lower prices; very helpful for those who must stay current in their field. DH is thrilled I'm no longer fussing about a stack of books on the night table!

[disneysteve]

this could be applied to all big commercial stores...the next shoe to drop in this "recovery" is commercial real estate. Just look around at all the vacant stores.

As always, that is very dependent on where you are. There are not a bunch of vacant stores around here. In fact, there are new businesses opening every day, and that's been true all through the recession. I live in an area that wasn't hit nearly as hard as some other areas.

The problem, as I see it, with book stores is that their business model is outdated. I still need to walk into Home Depot when I need a hardware item because I typically need it right then. I can't search for and order it online. And there is no electronic device that has replaced the need for the physical item all together.

I no longer need to enter a book store. Buying a book is never an emergency. And with electronic devices like Kindles and Nooks, books can be purchased instantly anyway, and at a lower cost than at the bookstore. Or a physical copy can be ordered online and delivered in a day or two, also at a lower cost.

[greenskeeper]

[happygirl]

I use my kindle for reading for pleasure, but I still like a solid book in my hand for information. For example, when we travel I like to take an actual travel guide.

As far as commercial real estate, there are many empty places where I live. One strip mall that was built before the real estate downturn even offered the first year of rent free to entice businesses to move in and no one took them up on the offer. After several years it still sits empty. Really sad.

[feh]

Brick & mortar book stores became obsolete for my family 11 years ago, when we became parents. When we wanted books to read to our son, we initially went to a store, but soon realized having all the books we wanted was going to be quite expensive.

That's when we re-discovered our local library. It's a fabulous resource, for those of you that have one in your community.

[Frugal]

I have noticed this, as well. I have worked at several libraries before. I used to visit stores like Barnes and Nobles, but realized I saved money by avoiding the big box stores, and visiting small, local, college-town like bookstores.

I have noticed the emphasis on merchandise other than books, most certainly. It seems they make more money on Nook than regular, plain old books.

I think the recession/current economic depression is also affecting the stock amounts they have on hand, as well as at other stores like Walmart.

[disneysteve]

I have noticed the emphasis on merchandise other than books, most certainly. It seems they make more money on Nook than regular, plain old books.

I don't think it is about where they are making more money. I think it is about where they are making more sales. If there business is shifting more and more to electronic purchases, they need to either phase out the stores or change gears and shift what gets sold in the stores. Borders has gone out of business entirely probably because they didn't really have a strong online presence and also didn't have their own e-reader.

I liken the situation to what happened to video rental stores. There used to be one in every strip center. Then the big box places like Blockbuster captured the majority of the market. Then online rentals started gaining in popularity. Now streaming is the way to go. The only places left to rent a physical disc are Redbox and similar kiosks. Even the original Netflix model of unlimited borrowing times is fading away. We have Netflix but at this point, 90% of our usage is with streaming through our Wii rather than watching and returning actual discs.

[Andrew Jackson]

That's when we re-discovered our local library. It's a fabulous resource, for those of you that have one in your community.

I 100% agree. I re-discovered our local library a couple years ago. I love to check out magazines, how-to/reference books on various things and travel guides if I am going on a trip somewhere.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I just bought a 50% off coupon for use at a local used bookstore. A favorite place of ours, one that we actually take out of town visitors to. Please let this store never bite the dust!

My main reason for still liking any kind of brick and mortar bookstore is the possibility of casual browsing leading to happy discoveries. I find online browsing less engaging.

Actually, I'm a little fearful for the future of public libraries. Libraries are an easy cut during hard times and to tell the truth, I think there is a large part of the population that does not see their value to taxpayers. Many budget items are on the chopping block these days.