Small Independent Bookstores in Canada Are Almost Extinct
Canadian small independent bookstores have played an important role in local communities for many years but are now about to become extinct. While they have had a significant cultural and social impact, many independent bookstores closed doors in cities such as Halifax, Vancouver, Toronto, and elsewhere. Why the Future of Independent Bookstores Is Uncertain Competition from big-box book retailers is one of the main reasons why the prospects of small bookstores are unclear. In fact, chains account for about 70 percent of sales. E-commerce is also on the rise, and many prefer to order books from the comfort of their home. EBooks have become increasingly popular, and some predict that eBooks are soon to replace hardcover copies. In fact, some go as far as to predict that our main shopping streets will turn into e-commerce pickup points in the near future. What Indie Retailers Share According to a survey by BookNet Canada, in 2018, 65 percent of indie retailers have experienced increases in revenue from new releases. Non-book items account for a small percentage of sales or just 16 percent. The top marketing techniques that retailers use include advertising books at off-site and on-site events, stickering and shelving books, and selling in-store. Bookstores Closing Doors When the big-box book retailers entered the Canadian market, some 350 independent retailers closed doors or downsized. Toronto lost many indie bookstores over the last years, among which Pages, Mirvish Village, Ten Editions Books, and others. Some of these independent retailers have been iconic and ranked among the best indie stores in Toronto. Many small retailers also closed in Halifax, including Book Room, which opened doors in 1839 and was one of the oldest bookstores in Canada. Some of the best-known indie bookstores also closed in Vancouver, prominent examples being Duthie Books and Sophia Books.
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