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 Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:25 pm
Okay, to start off, I'm taking a high school course in entreprenerurship, and the business I want to create is a bookstore. To give me some ideas about the store layout, service, etc., I decided to ask you bookworms! Please post what you like/don't like about other bookstores, or post an innovative idea of your own. Your opinions will be greatly appreciated! Thanks! biggrin
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Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 6:58 pm
Ah, such a good question!
I'm really very finicky when it comes to bookstores. My mother owned one that she kept in absolutely great order. The bookshelves where not too high (making it hard for some people to see the tops, or making it claustrophobic for others), it was well-lit, and the books were all right side up. Of course, some of my favorite bookstores are the kind that feel like cozy caves, but overall, I like airy, open layouts.
Also, I have to hand it to the big bookstore chains for putting upholstered chairs in their stores. Nothing makes a good bookstore like ample reading space (of course, that could be bad for business if people treat it like a library). As for me, if a store makes me feel comfortable, I'll go to it for all my book-buying needs.
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Romantic Conversationalist
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:31 am
I also like the plush chairs in bookstores. I enjoy reading a couple pages to see if I like the book,without standing there and taking up space. Don't crowd the shelves is what I warn. I like feeling like I can take my time,but easily find the book I'd like.Good luck!
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:36 am
Yes! Comfy chairs are a must, however to avoid the library treetment, the solution is simple. Don't provide tables. What I also like about a good bookstore is all my favorate books are in one spot. I hate it when they put the si-fi books fifty shelves away from the fantacy section in the science section. Keep relitive with relitive. I have also been turned off by kids sections, however handy they may be to parents, it's a pain in the butt when I go to find the hobbit and have to walk among the brightly colored kids section making me feal like I really shouldn't be reading that book anymore.
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:11 pm
I'd have to agree with all the stuff everyone else has said. (Although childrens' sections never bothered me.) Definitely no super high bookshelves.
Oh, and this is the otaku coming out in me, but if you have graphic novels, please don't group the manga in with them. Manga deseres its own section, right next to the graphic novels.
(And don't be like Barnes & Noble and put some manga series in the Teen Section. That's so freakin' annoying!)
And sometimes, it's nice to have a little section of bestsellers, or store recommendations (i.e. You like this book? Try this one.)
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Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 7:40 pm
I agree with the chairs comment and you should probably sell bookmarks as well. In my personal opinion having a section that is very small is annoying, where's the selection?! If you're going to have any sort of separate section for a specific genre, the section should be amply stocked.
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:06 pm
A good selection and friendly service are key. The comfy chair idea is a great idea too.
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:38 pm
What I exspect is...
-A full cataloge of the entire store's invetory which is up to date and on a computer for me to search for what I want without haveing to search every shelf.
-Nice friendly servise, just incase I need more "mature" reading material
-Silence is golden...ductape is silver...enoughsaid.
-Afordable prices, as well as soft cover copies of all books (if possable)
Comfortable atmosphere, as well as a cafe' incase I'm thirsty...or want to read it in the store, and flirt....with hot cafe' types....I need a life.
-Attractive works. (if possiable)
-As well as a good "Most Read" list
-And last but not least it needs a manga section....a rather large one to acomidate my other reading intrests...graphic novels as well.
If you do all of those things, You've got my buissness in an instant!
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Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:22 pm
Thanks sooo much for the ideas, everyone! I had never thought of comfy chairs . . . that's a really good idea! I really do appreciate your advice; thanks tenfold!
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Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:08 pm
Kaizoku-sama [love] I'd have to agree with all the stuff everyone else has said. (Although childrens' sections never bothered me.) Definitely no super high bookshelves. Oh, and this is the otaku coming out in me, but if you have graphic novels, please don't group the manga in with them. Manga deseres its own section, right next to the graphic novels. (And don't be like Barnes & Noble and put some manga series in the Teen Section. That's so freakin' annoying!) And sometimes, it's nice to have a little section of bestsellers, or store recommendations (i.e. You like this book? Try this one.) I was just going to say that! XD Regarding manga and graphic novels. My friend bought me a graphic instead of the manga I wanted, because she couldn't tell the difference. That, and I am so sick of having to go for my Pixie Pop in the secluded back section in Teens! It's a manga. I don't care if you don't have room in the manga section. Facts are facts, they are putting it in the wrong place. -huff- Hm... I like seeing everything in a certain order. A place where you don't have to search to try and figure out where everything is because rather large signs point you in the right direction. Someplace clean, of course, for the sake of the books... and a bookstore has to be a rather quiet place, so no loud, distracting music as your shopping.
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Posted: Thu May 15, 2008 7:49 pm
I want Employees who actually KNOW what they are doing. I hate it when an employee doesn't even like books, for all they work at a bookstore. I love it when at a bookstore an employee knows what book I'm talking about, even when I don't know the author, and knows where it is without even having to look it up. That makes my day, it does. I'm not saying they have to know where every single book in the store is, but they should at least like books. Also, make sure they actually know where certain books are. One time a guy made me look through the entire Sci-Fi section with him because he didn't know where the book was, just that it was in the Sci-Fi section. -Shakes head- SO ANNOYING.
Yeah, Comfy Chairs are a needed, and you must let your customers read the books while in the store. I won't buy a book without at least having read the first four chapters, so yeah. That is a MUST.
A section full of nothing but recommendations is good as well. Don't make it too big though. Also, make sure the books in that section are also in their proper section they would normally go in as well, not only in the recommended readings section.
Oh, another thing, a cafe is good, but not a must. If you do have one, try to have decent food, and don't over price the sandwiches, like they do at the Barnes and Nobles Cafes.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 8:03 pm
It sound like the Barnes and Noble where I live is different from others. We has detailed sections, a manga section next to the graphic novels (save the occasional mess up), a kid's section enclosed from everything else, a cafe, employees who will walk up and ask "can I help you find something?", tables in front of each section to showcase the popular and new arrivals, a giant help desk in the middle of the store, and SILENCE.
All we need are bean bag chairs.
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Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:27 pm
I like bookstores that are colourful and make me feel welcomed when I walk through the door. It's nice to see bright, happy colours and such.
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:13 pm
Provide some form of seating and reading space.
DO NOT SHRINKWRAP THE BOOKS. If you do, leave at least 1-2 copies unshrinkwrapped for the poor people who can't afford to buy everything they want to read.
Bookstores are businesses, but people are more inclined to buy books if they can try before they buy, or they read something they enjoy.
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Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:16 pm
BE SURE TO BE ABLE TO ORDER BOOKS FOR PEOPLE. Make it all corner store cosy. If you want some more ideas, try reading Bookends by Jane Green. In the book, part of the main plot is that the girl pursues her dream of opening a neighborhood bookstore. My copy got read by at least 4 other people than me, was totally wrecked when someone cut open a box, and is definitely one of my favorite books. smile
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