January 30, 2017
Can Wine Save Bookstores?
At Digital Book World, a panel on “Will Bars Save Bookstores?” considered the issue, and concluded that yes, it could.
The rise of digital books and reading devices has left many traditional brick & mortar booksellers looking for ways to keep patrons coming in and their doors open. Coffee shops in bookstores have gone from a “new thing” to being accepted, if not expected. However, as the pressure from online sales and digital publishing increases, bookstores are turning to other options to maintain patronage and sales. Bookstores are running summer camps, hosting travel events, offering dance classes, and doing “hundreds of innovative things that are helping stores thrive in a very competitive environment”.
American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher called the booze in bookstores theme, “a euphemism for all things smart entrepreneurial spaces are doing to attract consumers.” These non-traditional initiatives are responsible for more new bookstores being opened than closed. The growth of independent booksellers is benefiting from the “shop local” movement, which supports all types of local businesses. Also discussed at the panel were Barnes & Noble’s new concept stores, which include full restaurants that serve beer and wine.
The panel’s conclusion was that “you can’t download a cocktail”. For wineries, this represents an opportunity to expand brand awareness into another market. With wine being served in bookstores, can wine tastings be far behind? Events showcasing wine and books about wine would be a natural, mutually beneficial pairing for both winery and bookseller. With everything else being offered in bookstores, why not have a few cases of wine on display?
Winery/bookstore pairings may or may not be in your future--only you can decide if such a partnership is right for your business. Regardless, Sierra View is there to help you meet the challenges you face day to day and in the future, with expert contracting services and a commitment to complete customer satisfaction.
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