Comments on: Stacey’s Bookstore Closes http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:35:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Patricia http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/#comment-22133 Patricia Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:44:56 +0000 http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/#comment-22133 Stacey's did all that "give people a reason to come into your store" stuff. They stocked a tremendous variety of items. What really did them in as far as I can gather was landlord greed. So that space will sit empty along with all the other overpriced empty commercial space in downtown SF. Stacey’s did all that “give people a reason to come into your store” stuff. They stocked a tremendous variety of items. What really did them in as far as I can gather was landlord greed. So that space will sit empty along with all the other overpriced empty commercial space in downtown SF.

]]> By: Sara http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/#comment-16146 Sara Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:34:57 +0000 http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/#comment-16146 It is quite sad to see another independent bookstore going under. I find myself gravitating to internet trading for used books, but even then I prefer sites that encourage "browsing" like www.bookins.com. I just miss bumping shoulders with other browsers when shifting categories! It is quite sad to see another independent bookstore going under. I find myself gravitating to internet trading for used books, but even then I prefer sites that encourage “browsing” like www.bookins.com. I just miss bumping shoulders with other browsers when shifting categories!

]]> By: Used Books Blog http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/#comment-16143 Used Books Blog Thu, 15 Jan 2009 16:17:04 +0000 http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/#comment-16143 Jacob, In many ways I don't disagree. Many of these stores have been slow to adapt to the Internet and don't actively sell online. Many Independent bookstores could remain in business if they supplemented their offline sales with online sales. In other ways I think it remains difficult. Offering coffee and a reading section is potentially expensive and many stores simply don't have the footprint to afford to do something of that nature. Authors aren't going to stop by the small shops (not enough bang for the buck), and Cody's (a larger shop for sure) had fantastic author events but still went under. Cody's, however, didn't change to meet the demand of new customers which is what really sent it under. You bring up the prime point which is the ability to browse. The problem, I believe, is that people have less and less time in which to browse. <a href="http://www.marketingcharts.com/television/us-leisure-time-plummets-20-in-2008-hits-new-low-7470" rel="nofollow">US Leisure Time Plummets</a> So, with so little time, browsing just doesn't cut it and ... unfortunately reading might not either. Jacob,

In many ways I don’t disagree. Many of these stores have been slow to adapt to the Internet and don’t actively sell online. Many Independent bookstores could remain in business if they supplemented their offline sales with online sales.

In other ways I think it remains difficult. Offering coffee and a reading section is potentially expensive and many stores simply don’t have the footprint to afford to do something of that nature.

Authors aren’t going to stop by the small shops (not enough bang for the buck), and Cody’s (a larger shop for sure) had fantastic author events but still went under. Cody’s, however, didn’t change to meet the demand of new customers which is what really sent it under.

You bring up the prime point which is the ability to browse. The problem, I believe, is that people have less and less time in which to browse.

US Leisure Time Plummets

So, with so little time, browsing just doesn’t cut it and … unfortunately reading might not either.

]]> By: Jacob http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/#comment-16057 Jacob Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:48:29 +0000 http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/staceys-bookstore-closes/#comment-16057 Independent bookstores must learn to adapt to the new business environment. Stores that do not think 5,10, and 15 years down the road will fail. Too many stores are blaming Amazon and Big Box Retailers for their problems and not focusing on their own faults. Give a reason for people to come to your store. Give them an experience in browsing. Encourage and foster author events and engage the local community. Cody's would still be around if they had not opened up a store in downtown San Francisco across from the Apple store. What were they thinking? Independent bookstores must learn to adapt to the new business environment. Stores that do not think 5,10, and 15 years down the road will fail. Too many stores are blaming Amazon and Big Box Retailers for their problems and not focusing on their own faults. Give a reason for people to come to your store. Give them an experience in browsing. Encourage and foster author events and engage the local community. Cody’s would still be around if they had not opened up a store in downtown San Francisco across from the Apple store. What were they thinking?

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