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All retail outside of large supermarkets is disappearing. It's impossible to compete against online services that are cheaper to run, more scalable, and overall

All retail outside of large supermarkets is disappearing. It's impossible to compete against online services that are cheaper to run, more scalable, and overall mode comfortable. The bookstores that will survives are the ones with comfortable couches and a cozy athmosphere where you can sit down and read or study for a couple of hours instead of going to a café or a pub. Entertainment has not been fully digitalised yet.

Spivak 6y ago
I don't necessarily see that "impossibility" as a bad thing. The idea that the cost of actual goods are being driven down is always good for the people buying. I feel like we're reaching the point where retail has to start charging directly for the value they bring to the table instead of trying to put it in the cost of the goods. Because you can't compete with huge companies that operate on super thin margins and scale. If your value as a bookstore is as a 3rd space or a co-working space then charge for that. Don't try to hide it in the price of books or food. We have coffee shops that charge a cover if you want to work there. If the value of your bike shop is the show-rooming then charge for that. I would absolutely pay to try out different bikes and if you charge the same as everyone else for the actual bike I have no reason not to buy from you.
- ghaff 6y ago
  I don't necessarily disagree but an admission fee to go into a store seems like it would be a pretty big hurdle to expect people to climb over. There have been discussions of the showrooming problem since ecommerce got big and no one has really been able to systematically address it.
tinyhouse 6y ago
Exactly. They need to provide an extra value. It can be a cafe with couches or brining book authors a few times a week to talk about their book, etc. I know at least one local book store that do both and pre-covid it was always packed with people.
jseliger 6y ago
All retail outside of large supermarkets is disappearing. It's impossible to compete against online services that are cheaper to run, more scalable, and overall mode comfortable. Really? http://investors.bestbuy.com/investor-relations/news-and-events/financial-releases/news-details/2020/Best-Buy-Reports-Second-Quarter-Results/default.aspx http://investors.bestbuy.com/investor-relations/news-and-eve...
- 908B64B197 6y ago
  Best-Buy is the show-room for what's on Amazon.
MivLives 6y ago
There's a bookstore near me with a cafe (that has alcohol), and runs a pub trivia night. I had to fight myself not to pick up something every time I went in for that.

Spivak 6y ago

I don't necessarily see that "impossibility" as a bad thing. The idea that the cost of actual goods are being driven down is always good for the people buying. I feel like we're reaching the point where retail has to start charging directly for the value they bring to the table instead of trying to put it in the cost of the goods. Because you can't compete with huge companies that operate on super thin margins and scale. If your value as a bookstore is as a 3rd space or a co-working space then charge for that. Don't try to hide it in the price of books or food. We have coffee shops that charge a cover if you want to work there. If the value of your bike shop is the show-rooming then charge for that. I would absolutely pay to try out different bikes and if you charge the same as everyone else for the actual bike I have no reason not to buy from you.

ghaff 6y ago
I don't necessarily disagree but an admission fee to go into a store seems like it would be a pretty big hurdle to expect people to climb over. There have been discussions of the showrooming problem since ecommerce got big and no one has really been able to systematically address it.

tinyhouse 6y ago

Exactly. They need to provide an extra value. It can be a cafe with couches or brining book authors a few times a week to talk about their book, etc. I know at least one local book store that do both and pre-covid it was always packed with people.

jseliger 6y ago

All retail outside of large supermarkets is disappearing. It's impossible to compete against online services that are cheaper to run, more scalable, and overall mode comfortable. Really? http://investors.bestbuy.com/investor-relations/news-and-events/financial-releases/news-details/2020/Best-Buy-Reports-Second-Quarter-Results/default.aspx http://investors.bestbuy.com/investor-relations/news-and-eve...

908B64B197 6y ago
Best-Buy is the show-room for what's on Amazon.

MivLives 6y ago

There's a bookstore near me with a cafe (that has alcohol), and runs a pub trivia night. I had to fight myself not to pick up something every time I went in for that.