Around the traps

[threemonkeys]

I went into Wellington central today for my weekly trip around the book shops. Today is also the day that Borders opened their big new store on Lambton Quay so I added them to my itinerary. I didn't buy anything there though. Their sf section was quite large but it didn't hold anything new for me. In fact the authors represented on their shelves were a combination of the ones that I had seen round the other shops I frequent. This is no surprise. In the lead up to their opening they have been sending people around their competitors looking at what they have on their shelves - they have been caught doing it at a couple of places.

One of the things I like about the shops in town (apart from Whitcoulls of course, who I never frequent anyway) is that their sf sections are nicely complementary. They all stock in different ways with different emphasis, making the overall choice for the shopper greater. Borders could have gone down this route too. They could have used the intelligence gathered to create a point of difference for themselves in their range. But instead they are trying the power play - trying to shut out the existing businesses by covering their bases.

I have been telling anybody who will listen to support the locally owned shops - e.g. Unity, Arty Bees and even Dymocks (which is a fully owned franchise with completely independent buying power). These shops are owned locally by people who love books and hire staff who love books. I'm not saying boycott Borders - just don't make it your first choice or default book source. In any case, it is bright and sterile. Book shops should be cosy and intimate.

Comments

[michaelchance.livejournal.com]

At least I wasn't the only person who was disappointed :)

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

For the sake of the other shops, I'm quite relieved that there has been this level of disappointment expressed.