Support Independent Bookstores With Holiday Shopping
The pandemic has not spared independent bookstores. While indie companies have done relatively well with competition from Amazon and major retailers in recent years, closing their doors to COVID-19 and responding to customers’ urge to order online has been challenging, and despite the fact that American Publishers Association notes Sustainable book sales amid the pandemic fell 30.7% in August, according to industry newsletter Shelf Awareness. If you want to keep indie bookstores alive, consider spending part of your holiday gift budget towards a local independent bookstore. We’ve put together a few ways to support indie this season.
However, be careful: if you are going to donate books and related items, start shopping and ordering now. Independent booksellers can always take advantage of your support, and early order can help them manage their inventory and meet demand ahead of the holidays.
Order directly from your local indie
Some booksellers have responded to the pandemic by opening an online store and offering pickup, local delivery, or both. Look for independent bookstores in your area or city to find out what they do. IndieCommerce has a directory of independent e-commerce sellers .
Shop on IndieBound or Bookstore
If you can’t easily get your hands on a book from a store on the street, try IndieBound or Bookshop instead of the default Amazon. IndieBound has a zip code search that directs you to local booksellers who have the desired books in stock, while the bookstore allows you to either select a local seller who will receive 100% of the profits from your order or invest your money in a pool that is shared among participating stores.
Note: IndieBound will also connect you to a bookstore if it cannot find books in a warehouse in your area. Twitter users have suggested that Bookshop delivery times are actually comparable to Amazon’s delivery times and that customer service is (unsurprisingly) much better.
Buy non-book gifts
Many, if not most, independent bookstores sell more than just books. As writer Celeste Ng points out, you can order puzzles, clothes, tote bags and other gifts alongside a book (coffee mugs with literary quotes, anyone?). Try to find all your stocking stuffing there – bookmarks, pens, magnets, socks – along with holiday cards.
Give a subscription to Libro.fm
If audiobooks suit your friends and family better, give them a Libro.fm membership. The platform allows you to select a local independent bookstore to receive a portion of the profits from each subscription. You can also donate individual audiobooks.
Give a gift card to an indie seller
If you’re not sure if the recipient of the gift loves the books, send them a local indie or local indie gift card.
DIY book sets
Get creative with your gifts with themed books and bags next to them. This Twitter thread from author Rebecca McKie has a long list of ideas, from a city-specific gift box to a food and book combination (wine and book?) To packaging a book and film in the recipient’s year of birth. We like a few more:
- International Book Club: Send the same book to a group of friends along with a Zoom meeting invitation and cocktail card.
- Cookbook and Spice Pack: Present your food lovers with a cookbook and any hard-to-find ingredients.
- Free Small Library: Present a free small library box filled with packed books to a friend who has a yard.
Many indies also pack orders, so you can send items directly to friends and family.
Stop by for a cup of coffee
If your independent bookstore is open and offers coffee and food, stop by when you can (and be safe when you do).