3 ms·
If nothing else, uniformity doesn't add as much value to a brand that isn't selling its own product. Nobody really worries that the copy of a book they buy in o
by NoboruWataya 3y ago
If nothing else, uniformity doesn't add as much value to a brand that isn't selling its own product. Nobody really worries that the copy of a book they buy in one shop will be different to a copy bought in another. There are likely some benefits to consistency, like a familiar store layout or knowing that a shop will stock a good range of books, but these are kind of ancillary to the product (and my experience is that these things aren't that consistent across big chains anyway).
There is a great book shop in Dublin, Ireland called Hodges Figgis. It was bought by the UK chain Waterstones in 2011, but you wouldn't know it - they wisely decided not to interfere at all with such a locally beloved brand.
- rsynnott 3y ago> There is a great book shop in Dublin, Ireland called Hodges Figgis. It was bought by the UK chain Waterstones in 2011, but you wouldn't know it - they wisely decided not to interfere at all with such a locally beloved brand. In a sign that this works, there used to be a few actual Waterstones branches in Dublin, too, but they didn't survive the general decline in the bookselling industry. I think Waterstones also own a couple of formerly independent shops in London where they've left the branding and operations alone, for similar reasons. (From the article, the new Barnes and Noble chief exec previously ran Waterstones.)
- tonyedgecombe 3y agoThey bought Blackwells in Oxford fairly recently. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't change too much. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/feb/28/waterstones-acquires-blackwells-the-uks-biggest-independent-bookseller https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/feb/28/waterstones-ac...
- FormerBandmate 3y agoThe owners of Waterstones took over Barnes and Noble and put Waterstones management in charge. Seems to have worked
- philipwhiuk 3y agoThe Southwold Waterstones was controversial when it opened: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/feb/27/waterstones-chief-defends-decision-to-open-unbranded-stores https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/feb/27/waterstones-ch...
- BenFeldman1930 3y agoSame with Hatchards (close to Waterstones' Picadilly shoppe).