Superstores: Difference between revisions
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Also referred to as big-box stores, superstores are book retailers that are stand-alone buildings.<ref>Robinson, Solveig C. ''The Book in Society''. Broadview Press, 2014.</ref> When they first came into the world of retail, they were independent stores rather than chains and were frequently in big cities instead of suburban areas. These large stores allowed for more stock, and therefore more options, than bookstores within malls because of all the space. | Also referred to as big-box stores, superstores are book retailers that are stand-alone buildings.<ref>Robinson, Solveig C. ''The Book in Society''. Broadview Press, 2014.</ref> When they first came into the world of retail, they were independent stores rather than chains and were frequently in big cities instead of suburban areas. These large stores allowed for more stock, and therefore more options, than bookstores within malls because of all the space. | ||
Superstores changed the book shopping experience for | Superstores changed the book shopping experience for customers. More space meant room for more shelves to house their books, so bookcases set up throughout the store could be shorter. This allowed customers to view the locations of all the different sections at once, making shopping more convenient and quicker than it used to be. Some stores also placed upholstered chairs around the store and introduced in-store coffee shops so customers could sit down and relax while perusing their finds, along with providing dimmer lighting for a more comfortable experience. These differences made for a more welcoming experience overall, adding to the appeal of superstores.[[File:Books-A-Million logo.png|thumb|129x129px|The logo for Books-A-Million, a superstore chain in the United States.<ref>“Books-A-Million Font.” ''Font Meme'', https://fontmeme.com/books-a-million-font/. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.</ref>]] | ||
== Well-Known Superstores == | |||
== | |||
United States: | United States: | ||
* Barnes & Noble | * Barnes & Noble | ||
* Books-a-Million | * Books-a-Million | ||
[[File:Chapters.jpg|thumb|Storefront of a Chapters location in British Columbia.<ref>''“Chapters Store - Chameleon Painting Ltd.”'' ''Chameleon Painting Ltd.'', https://chameleonpainting.ca/chapters-store/. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.</ref>|172x172px]] | |||
Canada: | Canada: | ||
| Line 19: | Line 18: | ||
== Unfair Competition == | == Unfair Competition == | ||
Unfortunately, the creation of superstores was not beneficial to everyone. Independent bookstores took a big hit, as they found it hard to compete with the variety of options superstores had to offer and their prices. Superstores were large enough and popular enough that they had more negotiating power over publishers to lower book costs and they could handle losing money on some books because they had plenty more. | Unfortunately, the creation of superstores was not beneficial to everyone. Independent bookstores took a big hit, as they found it hard to compete with the variety of options superstores had to offer and their prices. Superstores were large enough and popular enough that they had more negotiating power over publishers to lower book costs, and they could handle losing money on some books because they had plenty more. | ||
Many independent bookstores were forced to close as a result of competition with big-box stores. One study noted that "In 1995, bookstore failures were up 26 percent from the previous year, with 132 firms closing, and in 1996, the failure rate rose another 14 percent, with 151 firms closing | Many independent bookstores were forced to close as a result of competition with big-box stores. One study noted that "In 1995, bookstore failures were up 26 percent from the previous year, with 132 firms closing, and in 1996, the failure rate rose another 14 percent, with 151 firms closing"<ref>Laura J. Miller. ''Reluctant Capitalists : Bookselling and the Culture of Consumption''. University of Chicago Press, 2006. ''EBSCOhost'', [https://research.ebsco.com/c/kxl4xn/ebook-viewer/pdf/52tw6alzvv/page/pp_163 research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=6f8f8d66-8f90-3563-8a3a-ed256870dc15.]</ref> because of competition with superstores. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:Glossary]] | |||
Latest revision as of 06:57, 21 November 2025
Also referred to as big-box stores, superstores are book retailers that are stand-alone buildings.[2] When they first came into the world of retail, they were independent stores rather than chains and were frequently in big cities instead of suburban areas. These large stores allowed for more stock, and therefore more options, than bookstores within malls because of all the space.
Superstores changed the book shopping experience for customers. More space meant room for more shelves to house their books, so bookcases set up throughout the store could be shorter. This allowed customers to view the locations of all the different sections at once, making shopping more convenient and quicker than it used to be. Some stores also placed upholstered chairs around the store and introduced in-store coffee shops so customers could sit down and relax while perusing their finds, along with providing dimmer lighting for a more comfortable experience. These differences made for a more welcoming experience overall, adding to the appeal of superstores.
Well-Known Superstores
United States:
- Barnes & Noble
- Books-a-Million
Canada:
- Chapters
United Kingdom:
- Waterstone's
Unfair Competition
Unfortunately, the creation of superstores was not beneficial to everyone. Independent bookstores took a big hit, as they found it hard to compete with the variety of options superstores had to offer and their prices. Superstores were large enough and popular enough that they had more negotiating power over publishers to lower book costs, and they could handle losing money on some books because they had plenty more.
Many independent bookstores were forced to close as a result of competition with big-box stores. One study noted that "In 1995, bookstore failures were up 26 percent from the previous year, with 132 firms closing, and in 1996, the failure rate rose another 14 percent, with 151 firms closing"[5] because of competition with superstores.
Notes
- ↑ “Inside Barnes And Nobles Barnes And Noble Opening Stores 2024: Full.” Fity Club, https://fity.club/lists/i/inside-barnes-and-nobles/. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
- ↑ Robinson, Solveig C. The Book in Society. Broadview Press, 2014.
- ↑ “Books-A-Million Font.” Font Meme, https://fontmeme.com/books-a-million-font/. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
- ↑ “Chapters Store - Chameleon Painting Ltd.” Chameleon Painting Ltd., https://chameleonpainting.ca/chapters-store/. Accessed 17 Nov. 2025.
- ↑ Laura J. Miller. Reluctant Capitalists : Bookselling and the Culture of Consumption. University of Chicago Press, 2006. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=6f8f8d66-8f90-3563-8a3a-ed256870dc15.
