Tips on Opening an Independent Bookstore

You might suppose that the independent bookshop is on its way out, thanks to digital giants like Amazon, and their ability to deliver huge amounts of reading material to the buying public.

While it’s impossible for a small business to compete with the warehousing space and digital reach of a web giant, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t still a niche for businesses of this kind to fill. Let’s take a look at some of the steps that a small bookshop might take to establish itself.

What kind of bookstore do you want to open?

If you don’t have a definite vision for your shop, then the chances are that you’ll end up floundering. Provide something that you know that your would-be customers will appreciate. This might be a space to look for special or older editions of classic books, or it might be an informal café-style space where customers can enjoy their purchase alongside a drink. Ideally, you’ll want to provide inspiration, and a reason for customers to keep coming back. This sense of discovery and tactility is what will give you an advantage over your online competitors – so be sure to lean into it.

Location and Premises

Your location will make a considerable difference to your overall footfall, which in turn will determine the prospects of your business in the long run. If you’re out of the way, then you can’t expect to draw in many passing customers. And you might struggle to bring in customers who’ve made the journey specially to visit you.

Your location should be informed by the niche you’re looking to target. For a bookshop with mainstream appeal, you might locate somewhere central. If you’re trying to appeal to a literary or smaller audience, you might locate somewhere with artsier surroundings.

Funding

A lack of liquidity can make or break a business during the earliest phases of its development. This is where an injection of cash from outside can be invaluable. It’ll allow you to spend more on upfront costs, and limit the ongoing ones. If your shop doesn’t have the appropriate level of stock from the start, then it’ll struggle to appeal to the bibliophiles you’re looking to target. Commercial finance comes in many forms, from traditional bank loans to more specialised online alternatives.

Create a personal atmosphere

The interior of your shop should feel tangibly different from the alternatives. That way, you’ll create that emotional bond that will bring your customers back for more. Visits and signing events with established authors will help with this.

Use social media to promote your store

Having a firm grasp of multiple social media channels will allow you to build hype for your store, and promote the grand opening. Social media should also feature as part of your ongoing marketing efforts.