Publishers Weekly had a brief update on the 35th annual New England Independent Booksellers Association Trade show, which include the little nut that independent booksellers comprise about 10% of the book market. I’m glad; frankly I’m amazed it’s still that high.
Attendees discussed print-on-demand as well as the possibility of selling Sony Readers in their stores (Seems to me Kindle has got to get a bricks-n-mortar retail outlet or get buried. Circuit City’s market cap is now 230 million!)
From the article: “Moderator Roxanne Coady, owner of R.J. Julia in Madison, Conn., noted the need for independents to monetize what they do. ‘Here’s what’s becoming a problem,’ she said, ‘we don’t charge. You can talk with our staff, and there aren’t even tip jars. We see people spending an hour in our store and then leaving and buying the books where it’s cheaper. Is there another way of paying for being that filter?’” Yes ma’am: let the people order the books online THROUGH YOU. Be one of those assistant shopper kinda deals. And put your recommendations online. And hell, put out some tip jars.
