If a book does not sell quickly enough, it is removed from the shelves and most likely not carried again. Independent booksellers tend to carry a new book or author longer than the chains allowing them to gain popularity by word of mouth and genuine interest. Over the past ten years over 2000 independent booksellers have gone out of business as a result of an uneven playing field. The American Booksellers Association backed by 26 independent booksellers has filed a class action lawsuit to attempt to stop such practices. The case is set for trial on April 9 th , 2001.
Chains buy books in bulk for all of their locations.
We ve found little proof of Borders claim that they adapt their stores to their host communities. One can walk into any Borders and see virtually the same selection of book titles , small towns become alike losing their sense of local character. By limiting choices, chains decide what books we are able to buy. Because of immense purchasing power, the superstores are shaping what books are being published . Before publishing a book, several publishers are now asking the chains if they would carry it.