Now it looks as if Borders is teetering on the edge as they announce that they are looking for a buyer. On the radio news it stated that competition from supermarkets and online retailers (presumably Amazon) was a huge factor. What I can't understand is how this was overlooked at the management buyout in July this year when presumably we were experiencing the same competition climate.
What is worrying is that if Borders shuts, bang go another 35 or so stores from our city centres leaving Waterstones and WHSmiths as the dominant players. And while it could be good news for independent bookshops, I don't think it is such great news for publishers. Remember, getting your titles into WHSmith for any publisher (big or small) is probably akin to getting into the first round of XFactor. And as for Waterstones, it looks increasingly as though you need to buy your way in to make it past the hub and onto the shelves.
'But look at us!' the independent bookshops with their individual looks and local pull might shout, but my dealings with independent bookshops have resulted in:
1) No payment for titles I sent in good faith on a sale or return basis (not from all indies, I must stress). In fact no communication whatsoever. Now and again I would get in touch but without much success. They usually said, I've sold one, send me another. Without any sign of paying for the one they sold.
2) Payment after months and months and chasing up.
Hence, it can not only be time-consuming dealing with these shops, it can also be dispiriting.
As for Amazon, I have always been a fan in that it has provided a level playing field for publishers of all sizes. However, now that we believe we have a cyber-stalking reviewer (could the Nod Offs hold the record for the most helpful one-star reviews?), Amazon is proving a nightmare.
I don't know what the answer is for bookselling, but it needs to be quite radical.
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