Used book stores-the future of the market.

[SFG75]

Turns out that used-book stores are thriving, while average stores selling what is current are stagnant.

Last year, US consumers spent more than $2.2 billion to buy 111 million used books. That's up 11 percent from 2003, according to a landmark study by the Book Industry Study Group. Most significantly, the growth is happening on the Internet. Online sales of used trade books - those aimed at a general audience - jumped 33 percent last year. By contrast, trade-book sales at traditional bookstores rose 4.6 percent.

Another expert has chimed in stating--

"Used trade books have been growing 25 percent a year," says Jeff Hayes, group director of InfoTrends/CAP Ventures, a research firm in Weymouth, Mass. "New trade books are growing only a couple percent a year."

-Great article on this topic in the Christian Science Monitor online.

 

[Fantasy Moon]

It's good to see that used bookstores are doing well. I wish I lived near one so I could frequent it. Short of driving long distances, I attend the book sales that the public library has every so often. You can purchase 5 books for $1 at those things and can sometimes lay your hands on good titles.

 

[mehastings]

I love used bookstores, but they will never completely replace outlets selling new materials. At one time, every currently available used book was a new book. While traditional bookstores lose ground, non-traditional places to purchase books seem to grow. Every supermarket in my area sells books. Stores like Target and Walmart sell books. Drug stores sell books. There are zillions of places out there to buy books online. There will always be people who would rather get the book right away than wait for it to be available used, and along with them are the people who wouldn't want someone's dirty old used book. If I'm looking for fiction I'll try the internet or the used store in town, but if they don't have the book I want, I'm usually not willing to wait. I just buy the book new instead.

 

[Billy]

I love used book stores, but I tend to use them to buy books that are out of print or harder to find books. But not only that, as the saying goes, "One man/woman's junk is another's treasure" and you can find some great classics at the better used book stores.

 

[jaycee]

No used book stores won't take over. I love used books stores though I buy a lot of my books from those it's a lot cheaper and sometimes they look good as new!