Barnes and Noble put all the small local places to death and now as Amazon is doing it to them. Shame, I always love browsing books in a real bookstore.
The publishers don't have to print, bind, or ship a book, and yet the price is the same as a hardcover, maybe a dollar less. B&N could have given a shot at opening up that market. But Apple, amd Amazon, and B&N probably colluded to keep prices high.
Half Price Books is doing well, with author events and community events.
I think their cheaper prices helps.
Playing of nostalgia is another.
Selling games and memorabilia to supplement the books works better for them than Barnes and Noble because they have some used cheaper inventory along with new stuff.
Not me. Browsing a bookstore was usually a frustrating experience. Poor selection, usually focusing on NYT best seller lists. Annoying children being disruptive. Intrusive clerks always walking up and asking to help you (which is actually a way for them to get you to buy something and get you out the door).
The only benefit of mall bookstores was that I had a place to go to when the wife was shopping.
Amazon built a better mousetrap using the concept of the long tail. Now millions of titles were available instead of just the lowest common denominator (best sellers) titles.
I’ve always said that when Barnes and Noble goes out of business it will be my fault.
I go there and browse books and when I find one I like, I go home and download the Kindle version. I love B&N, and I feel terrible about what I do.
First, most small booksellers. Now, Barnes & Noble is hanging on by a thread, the last of the book store chains. When B&N is gone, Amazon alone will manipulate reading choices. That’s not good.
Beat me to it.
Me too. There is a B&N near me that I visit at least once a month.
www.moravianbookshop.com
Agree always something new to read no batteries required.
Indeed I don’t know how any bookstore can make it these days. Easiest thing to sell and ship for Amazon.