DISQUS

Chris Hughes: Chris Hughes

  • Paul Schreiber · 1 month ago
    This sounds like a bit like http://www.alibris.com/
  • christofhughes · 1 month ago
    I suspect the real threat facing independent book stores is ebooks.

    Also, I feel that the desirability for a 'place' for books is outweighed by the instant accessibility that ebooks offer. Why limit knowledge and beauty in language to one location, when it can be accessed anywhere - and more importantly - by anyone?

    I grew up a very long way from a good bookshop. If the internet - and Project Gutenberg - had existed, I would have had access to a vast wealth of literature for free. The decline of the independent bookshop may be a sad but inevitable part of a new golden age of reading and knowledge.
  • ceonyc · 1 month ago
    I think this is part of a greater trend... retail across the board is in trouble. When I walk around my neighborhood, I count up all the stores that simply don't *need* to be there anymore because of the web--and try to think about how that could totally crater the real estate market even further.

    Just imagine what would happen to storefront commercial real estate if we didn't need 24 hour ATMs, b/c we went cashless. Manhattan seems to avg two ATMs per block.

    But back to the books... I don't think selling via AMZN would be that much of a help. Do you think the problem is people leaving b/c books aren't in stock, or the fact that they're just not going to small bookstores with serious intent to purchase in the first place? In big cities, its easier to go to B&N if you know what you want. In small towns, getting in your car to drive to an indy store is too big of a cost if you know what you're looking for anyway.

    Unfortunately, I think you'll see indy book stores go the way of local video stores--away. Early on, I might have thought that these places could compete on recommendations, community, and personal service... but honestly, the web does that pretty darn well, too.

    I'd love to put together an in person discussion with a bunch of Manhattan indy retailers--booksellers, clothing, etc. about the threats and opportunities of online models... In person commerce is an interest of mine as well.