A bookstore is much more than just a place to sell books. In recent years, bookstores have become meeting places with the appeal of a cultural institution. This has a positive impact on the “vitality” of the immediate neighborhood. Shops in the neighborhood will be pleased with the image of the bookstore.
“Bookstores contribute to an attractive shopping environment, which means more customers and a more pleasant shopping experience, making the city or village more livable.”
Using this statement as a starting point, the research agency Lysias Advies conducted a study on the instructions of KVB Boekwerk in six bookstores in three cities of different sizes: Rotterdam, Tilburg and Deventer. Two bookstores in each city were studied: a large one in the city center and a smaller one on the outskirts.
The study showed that bookstores represent a variety of values that can be grouped into four categories: sensory experience, inspiration, shopping experience, and value in terms of economic value and livability.
- Bookstores offer a complete book experience – and much more
People who visit bookstores say that it is very important for them to be able to hold a book in their hands. So, it’s not just about the content. They want to be able to hold the book and flip through it; they want to smell it and feel it. Touching it gives you a more positive experience. People who buy a book in a bookstore prefer not to order books online, because. - A bookstore offers a cultural experience
People who visit bookstores are looking for inspiration. Being able to browse through books encourages their curiosity. When they visit a bookstore, they have the idea that they are doing “something cultural”. They perceive their visit to a bookstore as a real journey, a nice break in their day. Inspiration is a key driver of well-being: people who feel inspired like the idea of doing something new and putting their ideas into action. They also feel better about themselves – more ambitious. According to people who visit bookstores, bookstores are usually the place where they can get this form of inspiration. - Bookstores make the area a better place to live by offering relaxation, inspiration and creativity
People who visit bookstores are often delighted with the location and perceive their visit as a pleasant pastime. For some customers, it is a safe place where they can relax. People also perceive bookstores as a place to meet others, to socialize with friends or colleagues. Therefore, customers of bookstores do not immediately go to their goal, but appreciate the opportunity to browse and communicate with people with similar mindsets. In short, a visit to a store has an added value in itself: it is an active experience with significant social and entertainment value. - A bookstore attracts people to the shopping area
Bookstores have more economic value than just their turnover. The presence of a store within a given shopping area adds to its attractiveness. Bookstores exude quality, and their many cultural events and products allow them to contribute to the flavor of the area. Surrounding stores can often benefit from this, for example through additional foot traffic.
In short, the presence of bookstores also has a positive impact on the quality of life in the neighborhood and on cultural and economic value. “Livability” is a measure of the extent to which the surrounding area meets the requirements and desires of people for it. Bookstores are more than just retail outlets: they also serve as social, cultural or recreational facilities. This allows them to represent another additional and important economic value: good living conditions eventually lead to higher prices for premises and land.