Search Results for: bookstore

The book party has taken a decidedly techno turn – from the lobbies of intimate bookstore and chic restaurants onto the internet. Erotic-novelist M.J. Rose recently celebrated the launch of her latest book at an online chatroom, where champagne glasses clinked without a sound. – Salon

“As one of Canada’s most controversial CEOs, Chapters Books’ Larry Stevenson has undoubtedly learned to be careful. And, in many ways, it’s funny that such a correct and controlled man should be considered one of the more malevolent forces on Canada’s cultural landscape. Then again, if you hatch a bold business plan that can be … Continue reading “THE DARTH VADER OF BOOKS”

Even as many independent bookstores have gone out of business in recent years, the remaining indies still play an important role beyond the sheer number of titles they push out the door. “The best marketing for books remains word-of-mouth passion, and often the first mouths to send the word with fervor are the independent bookstores, … Continue reading “WHERE THE BUZZ STARTS”

We haven’t seen the end of the small independent book stores, no matter how big the megastores get, says one Toronto indie. “I saw a niche in what people might like in terms of having a more intimate environment in which you can come and find a selection of books that has been well thought … Continue reading “BUILDING ON SERVICE”

Book returns are thought to be a right of bookstores. Whatever books you order and don’t sell can be returned to the publisher and the store doesn’t have to pay for them. But this year the returns are piling up at Canadian publishers, and the cost of this inefficient system is paid by consumers. Something’s … Continue reading “RETURN TO SENDER”

It’s been a year since Duthie Books, Vancouver’s largest independent bookstore, succumbed to the mega-store onslaught and went out of business. Owner Celia Duthie had to do something in her next life, so she started a book-lovers retreat on the Gulf Islands.  “Book clubs have taken off across the continent over the past decade, whether … Continue reading “THE AFTERLIFE OF INDEPENDENTS”

“Authors and readers in censored countries are discovering ways around the Internet filters installed by their governments. They now can obtain information on topics that would never be available in their local bookstores, including religion, government and sexual topics considered taboo. And they can distribute their information to the masses through electronic publishing.” – Intellectual Capital

Independent bookstore owners in Canada say superstore giant Chapters pushes them around (“we are absolutely unable to compete with a monolith”). Because Chapters controls distribution, the book you buy for $9.95 in the US costs you $16 in Canada. But Chapters says it is good for the Canadian book business: “We believe we will bring … Continue reading “BUDDY OR BULLY?”

Canadian mega-bookseller Chapters defends itself to Canadian government inquiry into the book business. Chain denies it has tried to run independent bookstores out of business. Independents have claimed that Chapters has 55 per cent of the Canadian market. “This is categorically false,” says Chapters. “We have somewhere between 20 and 23 per cent of the … Continue reading “CHAPTERS ON PARADE”