The Strengths Pages Have over the Superstores like Chapters Would Be

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Independent bookstores like Pages are having a hard time competing with category killers like Chapters. The real challenge for booksellers of all sizes today is that their competition is international. Independent bookstores chat about the fragile nature of their business.

They spoke about their limited access to capital, low profitability and the way rapid technological and market changes have the potential to overwhelm them. Competition primarily from department stores, book chains and book clubs. Added to that list today is even fiercer competition from convenience stores, supermarkets, big-box stores and e-commerce. Although offering more consumer choice, these new sources of competition have changed the book selling landscape in Canada.

Bookstores recognize that Chapters is now firmly a part of the Canadian book industry. Publishers also acknowledge the impact that the emergence of superstores has had on book retailing in Canada. Their presence, and that of other chains has expanded the book retailing space in Canada. They have also contributed to the recent growing profile of books in Canada.

It Has not been well served by a timely, efficient, wholesale or distribution service at the national level. Consumers were often advised that a book could be ordered, but it might take eight weeks for delivery. Amazon has really been a killer for them over the years" by undercutting bookstore prices on its online store, said Independents can't challenge on price. We don't get the same deals from publishers that the big boys do. I'm not even sure the big boys can contend with the price

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The strengths Pages have over the superstores like Chapters would be;

From the creaky second story floor, to their extensive collection of often underrepresented Canadian literature, is a locally owned business that's a cut above the competition,establishing roots in the community and differentiating themselves from big box outlets have been key to survival, runs weekly literacy classes with three local schools, do a children's story time, "We use these services to make ourselves a real hub in the community," said co-owner Joanne Saul. "We've made it more than a retail experience. We try to make it a vibrant place to be so people will want to come and share the experience of books." You can become much more 'intimate' with your customers - you can anticipate books they might like, events they might enjoy. And, you can take on a much larger role in the community/schools.Independents also have a point of view. They get to choose books that interest them, not just the books that a central office got a good deal on or ones it thinks will be a blockbuster. They try a couple copies of something new, independents are the best friend of a debut author. Independents

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