Apr 2, 2011

B is for Bookstore Fail

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE bookstores. I also love Amazon and Audible, but that's another post. Each week when we go into the big city with the fang-dangled shopping centre, I visit the bookstores. To browse, yes, to buy, yes, but I have another task when I'm there.

Our bookstores place all the fiction novels spine out, except for a chosen few (who I assume purchase special marketing bonuses as it's always the same ones). There are novels that I feel readers need to notice, because they are GOOD. Novels like:
or
or

I won't sink low enough to show the books I think should not have six front cover places just because they became a blockbuster film. To each their own. So, I assume it is my responsibility to turn all my favourite books around for other book browsers to discover. This can take me a long time in big stores like Borders. My girls help me with my mission and we keep an eye out for staff so they don't catch us in the act. We are running a rebellion.

So, for poor display of fiction, I say Bookstores 'fail'.

I realise space is currency in a bookstore, but perhaps stores could decide what their focus is, and if it's fiction, then give it the room it deserves. Another side gripe I have lately is my bookstores have these wonderful series books, like the Inkheart series, but only have books 2&3 - stock more than one copy of popular books and make sure you ALWAYS have the first book in the series available (that's were most of us will start).

Visiting a Target store this week, I was happy to see my job had been done for me by the shelving designers:

Now that's how books should be displayed. Do you get tempted to turn your favourite books cover-out in bookstores?

26 comments:

  1. Oh hi Charmaine. That's food for thought. I'm just hoping they don't all close down. Love my indie bookstores in Oz. We're so lucky.

    My blogger isn't working properly so I can't read your A at the mo. I'll try again.

    Thanks for visiting from Yass.

    Denise<3

    L'Aussie Travel Blog A - Z Challenge

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  2. I do this, too! When I have a particular book I enjoy, I make sure it's displayed as much as possible. I've even been known to go into the school book fairs and set up different books atop the shelves (makes it so the kids reach for it first). I know, I know--I'm evil!

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  3. Wow, when your local Target provides better display for books than bookstores, that certainly proves your point. Bookstores need to continue to adapt -- and not just in the digital forum. Excellent post, Charmaine.

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  4. Hi! I'm always tempted by the bookstores. They call out to me in my dreams. =D

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  5. I remember bookshops. They were great weren't they?

    nice post,
    Mood

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  6. I provide bookstore employees with lists of books they need to be carrying. They love me.

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  7. I like that book display. The best is when they're on a table, all spread out, and you can paw through them, like finding matching socks in your drawer.

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  8. I used to work in a bookstore and I was always turning my favourite books out... I still do lol.

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  9. I do this in a lot of stores. I use to do windows for stores. I will set out an outfit with accessories in a unique location. I also do this with books n' magazines. One time I was caught at a Thrift Shop...the owner caught me. She said,"leave it, it looks good"..when I went back. She said, it sold in a hour and that I could go ahead and leave my creations. I wanted a job, but I was a new Mom, but it was fun! ;-D

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  10. There are a lot of bookstores closing down these days, it is a real shame, but how can we stop it ??

    Really like the display at target, all books should be displayed that way !
    ENJOY
    JL&B

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  11. I'm with you that is a great book display.
    I am a fellow A to Z Challenger.

    Pamela Jo
    http://theresjustlifeyaliveit.blogspot.com

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  12. I wish the Target here had a display like that -- granted, after I quit, I avoid going there unless I'm buying sushi. Our Target has some very stuck-up... employees...

    I've never thought to turn my favourite books out like that.

    It's also a shame that Borders is closing down. My parents renewed an addiction of mine because they saw something at the location here that they knew I'd like, so they picked it up.

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  13. Now every store I go into that has books, I will be thinking about their display technique. Thanks!

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  14. Great idea ... I love it. Only makes sense to me. I would think sales would increase as well!

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  15. Target and walmart often have better prices on books too!

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  16. OH MY GOSH!!!! I've finally found someone else who's read Unwind! Wasn't it just the most provocative book?!!!

    I agree about turning around the books. Ha! Watch me the next time I go into my local bookstore :P

    Great post!

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  17. Good point!
    I'm always surprised by the books that get overly popular...when so many superior books get overlooked.

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  18. I agree - and disagree with you. I've worked in bookstores for many years, and I find that there are a few hiccups to the model you suggest. First of all, very few shelves are made to support that kind of display (which isn't the bookstore's fault - trust me, we fought to get proper shelves when we reorganized the store I worked in last year, but nooooo). So sadly, not all books can get that kind of treatment.

    Secondly, I tend to display the books I recommend. I know this isn't the case everywhere (like the US), since they do have "rules" (or deals) for what books to display. But this is a problem that has to do with the cooperation between publishers and bookstores, and not necessarily the specific bookstore.

    One problem, though, and my US bookstore-working friend never ceases to point out this pet-peeve of hers - people moving books. While it might seem like a good idea to display them more visibly, it will also make the person working in the store quite confused since they won't be able to find it in case people come asking for the book. So, moving books might cause fewer sales rather than more.

    Thus - while I agree with you in principle, I think this is something that needs to be fixed in bookstore headquarters, rather than in the specific stores. Unfortunately :(

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  19. You are absolutely right - publishers purchase shelf space at bookstores. The 'best sellers' section isn't the real best sellers - it's those books whose publishers have paid for them to be in that section. That's a way the stores make money that consumers never hear about.

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  20. People put do much effort into the covers. I never though about how the books are displayed. It takes more space and other novels get pushed aside, but I suppose this is a good compromise.

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  21. Thanks for all the comments, A-Z is turning out to be quite a challenge with keeping up with all the blogs :)

    I guess the way bookstores display books is a reminder to us to make sure our spines are appealing as well? Although I'm not sure how much you can do with a spine, I'll start hunting around for some good examples. In the meantime, lets keep up our secret assistance to shoppers by turning out the books we know they'll love :)

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  22. The closest book store is Borders a half hour away. So I usually by books online. I would love our Target to display their books like that!

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  23. Tempted and DO! Loved your post. Clicked over from Eric Trant's blog and A to Z. :)

    that rebel, Olivia

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  24. Your target is cooler than mine. I like when bookstores have the employees suggest shelf.

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  25. I doubt our children will own paper books. They'll have a few, but it'll go the way of silent pictures once the talkies came out.

    It's already happening as the publishers realize the time-to-market and cost-of-goods both drop to almost zero with e-publishing. This means they can charge the same for the book, but triple their profits.


    - Eric

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  26. oh, you caught me. Yes, I do this all the time with the Elevensie books. I get so excited to see their books in my store in Canada that I always arrange the books. I'm sure the clerk sees me coming.

    I'll never forget walking in to the store and seeing my OWN cover face out on the shelf! I'm sure that's only in my local store but it was a real thrill!

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