So what's going to happen to Waterstones?
Discussion
Given the closure of many highstreet shops including HMV where do you guys see Waterstones in the next few years?
Will it continue to be open or is it for the inevitable high jump?
I've already stated on the Books Vs Kindle thread that I'm a big fan of paper books, Kindle doesn't really do it for me.
In Camden we have two book shops, a Waterstones and directly opposite a 'Book Warehouse'. The latter seems to stock random titles in many different genres. The prices are quite reduced compared to the rrp - typically £3.99+. I can visit every week and buy a few books that take my fancy to the extent I have a huge pile of books in my 'to read' list. These are always spur of the moment purchases. For example on Saturday I ended up with 7x books, total cost £26ish.
Waterstones however, I can't remember the last time I went in. I think it was to compare/contrast the Rough Guide/Lonely Planet to Germany. In the end I ordered it from Amazon as it was >£5 cheaper. I certainly couldn't tell you what the last book I bought from Waterstones was.
Plenty of opinion on the net in terms of reviews/recommendations so I'm not sure where Waterstone's USP will come from.
Would love to hear your opinions.
Will it continue to be open or is it for the inevitable high jump?
I've already stated on the Books Vs Kindle thread that I'm a big fan of paper books, Kindle doesn't really do it for me.
In Camden we have two book shops, a Waterstones and directly opposite a 'Book Warehouse'. The latter seems to stock random titles in many different genres. The prices are quite reduced compared to the rrp - typically £3.99+. I can visit every week and buy a few books that take my fancy to the extent I have a huge pile of books in my 'to read' list. These are always spur of the moment purchases. For example on Saturday I ended up with 7x books, total cost £26ish.
Waterstones however, I can't remember the last time I went in. I think it was to compare/contrast the Rough Guide/Lonely Planet to Germany. In the end I ordered it from Amazon as it was >£5 cheaper. I certainly couldn't tell you what the last book I bought from Waterstones was.
Plenty of opinion on the net in terms of reviews/recommendations so I'm not sure where Waterstone's USP will come from.
Would love to hear your opinions.
I use Waterstones a lot, and spend quite a bit of money in there. I like to browse around, find something unexpected, buy it there and then and start reading it straight away while I am still excited about it. The Amazon book-buying experience is too sterile for me, although I will use them when I need a specialist book and I know exactly what I want.
I don't like e-books since for me, part of the pleasure of books is having a physical object that you can hold and touch, that is yours forever and that becomes associated with the period of your life when you first read it.
Having said that, I can't see Waterstones surviving for long. I use the Bishopsgate and Canary Wharf branches regularly. They are never very busy. And a lot of people are clearly there to either research the book before buying it on Amazon, or to use the place as a library. I see relatively few people at the tills. Even the Bluewater branch never seems to have many people buying compared to the size of the store.
So the question is - what sort of model could they adopt in order to survive? I honestly don't know.
I don't like e-books since for me, part of the pleasure of books is having a physical object that you can hold and touch, that is yours forever and that becomes associated with the period of your life when you first read it.
Having said that, I can't see Waterstones surviving for long. I use the Bishopsgate and Canary Wharf branches regularly. They are never very busy. And a lot of people are clearly there to either research the book before buying it on Amazon, or to use the place as a library. I see relatively few people at the tills. Even the Bluewater branch never seems to have many people buying compared to the size of the store.
So the question is - what sort of model could they adopt in order to survive? I honestly don't know.
AmitG said:
Having said that, I can't see Waterstones surviving for long. I use the Bishopsgate and Canary Wharf branches regularly. They are never very busy. And a lot of people are clearly there to either research the book before buying it on Amazon, or to use the place as a library. I see relatively few people at the tills. Even the Bluewater branch never seems to have many people buying compared to the size of the store.
So the question is - what sort of model could they adopt in order to survive? I honestly don't know.
Interesting, I was in my local branch and I had to try the till on three different floors before I found one that had a que short enough to get me to buy what I was holding rather that just dumping my impulse pickups (£70 but I was paying for three peoples books) and leaving.So the question is - what sort of model could they adopt in order to survive? I honestly don't know.
Waterstones is the only show in town so I support it to a degree; but it is very 'corporate' and does not offer the 'serendipity factor' that proper bookshops do.Or is it 'did' ? I scribble a bit and remember my publisher telling me that every book you see face up on display in Waterstones has been paid to be in that position by the publishers involved.If I went in to Waterstones I used to ensure stealthily that my book magically appeared face up too...
coppice said:
Waterstones is the only show in town so I support it to a degree; but it is very 'corporate' and does not offer the 'serendipity factor' that proper bookshops do.Or is it 'did' ? I scribble a bit and remember my publisher telling me that every book you see face up on display in Waterstones has been paid to be in that position by the publishers involved.If I went in to Waterstones I used to ensure stealthily that my book magically appeared face up too...
Mwah ha hahargh! I like your style! We only have Waterstones here but we have two (yeh I know, uh?). One stocks my books one doesn't. So, I have business card sized flyers about my book, with a nice action picture (car chase) a quote, a review quote and an order it here (for Waterstones) and where to buy for say, tescos. I then go into offending books shops, ie the people who don't stock it, and slip them into similar books to mine.I've no idea if it works, but it gives me that vicarious thrill you get from of doing something naughty.
AmitG said:
I use Waterstones a lot, and spend quite a bit of money in there. I like to browse around, find something unexpected, buy it there and then and start reading it straight away while I am still excited about it. The Amazon book-buying experience is too sterile for me, although I will use them when I need a specialist book and I know exactly what I want.
I don't like e-books since for me, part of the pleasure of books is having a physical object that you can hold and touch, that is yours forever and that becomes associated with the period of your life when you first read it.
Having said that, I can't see Waterstones surviving for long. I use the Bishopsgate and Canary Wharf branches regularly. They are never very busy. And a lot of people are clearly there to either research the book before buying it on Amazon, or to use the place as a library. I see relatively few people at the tills. Even the Bluewater branch never seems to have many people buying compared to the size of the store.
So the question is - what sort of model could they adopt in order to survive? I honestly don't know.
Arn't they heading towards coffee shop that sells books ?I don't like e-books since for me, part of the pleasure of books is having a physical object that you can hold and touch, that is yours forever and that becomes associated with the period of your life when you first read it.
Having said that, I can't see Waterstones surviving for long. I use the Bishopsgate and Canary Wharf branches regularly. They are never very busy. And a lot of people are clearly there to either research the book before buying it on Amazon, or to use the place as a library. I see relatively few people at the tills. Even the Bluewater branch never seems to have many people buying compared to the size of the store.
So the question is - what sort of model could they adopt in order to survive? I honestly don't know.
ofcorsa said:
Arn't they heading towards coffee shop that sells books ?
The bigger branches seem to be heading that way. Doesn't appeal to me. The "coffee" part is just a standard chain (e.g. Costa) and is usually quite small. I'd rather have a proper coffee shop and a proper book shop...
Don't and will not own an i-read thingy,I grew up in a house of books and continue the tradition.I remember well the state of chaos in the Waterstones in Manchester in the early 90's,books piled in gangways staff whoe would look more at home as extras in Big Bang Theory and a manager whoe was eventually sacked because he loved books but had absolutely no idea about stock control!As for second hand I visit Carlisle regularly tosee the inlaws and is a very good second bookshop,thats if Oxfam haven't killed it off.
I find kindles are quite useful for literature that's hard to come by in hard format, and good for saving space. Unfortunately, as much as I love spending time in book shops, buying from places like Amazon is much easier and cheaper
scary said:
, and slip them into similar books to mine.
edeanbutler said:
My opinion is that Waterstones will close all but a few key locations. Amazon and the like have killed them. The rent for a bookstore like Waterstones is prohibitive.
But it's not 'prohibitive' is it? Because there are lots of shops about and lots of these shops are Waterstones.Our local one is always busy, even in 'quiet' mid-week times and there is good profit to be made in selling books, and even more in selling e-books, which Waterstones is embracing.
Waterstones is an experience. Whenever I drop in, there is usually something on the pinboard, an author signing usually.
Staff are pleasant and knowledgeable. I think they will need to do more and do something as the internet behemoth (like Onslaught) slowly creaks to universal use.
What is that? Coffee, book groups, naked ladies...we shall see.
Staff are pleasant and knowledgeable. I think they will need to do more and do something as the internet behemoth (like Onslaught) slowly creaks to universal use.
What is that? Coffee, book groups, naked ladies...we shall see.
I'm unsure about the e-book personally. I've been using my ipad for about 2 years now but have never clicked with a book in the way I can with paper.
For that reason I've now sacked the ipad as my choice for books and have gone back to buying. I'd also like to start collecting for my own home library in the future.
Waterstones in Trafford Centre were very good. The lad behind the counter was very knowledgeable and helped with my choice. You don't get that with an e-book.
I do feel I should be supporting small local book shops though. I certainly won't be buying any more from Amazon.
For that reason I've now sacked the ipad as my choice for books and have gone back to buying. I'd also like to start collecting for my own home library in the future.
Waterstones in Trafford Centre were very good. The lad behind the counter was very knowledgeable and helped with my choice. You don't get that with an e-book.
I do feel I should be supporting small local book shops though. I certainly won't be buying any more from Amazon.
CRB14 said:
I'm unsure about the e-book personally. I've been using my ipad for about 2 years now but have never clicked with a book in the way I can with paper.
For that reason I've now sacked the ipad as my choice for books and have gone back to buying. I'd also like to start collecting for my own home library in the future.
For many years I spent my money in Waterstones in Manchester airport, before heading for a month offshore. Then I got a Kindle, and stopped buying paper books of any description, mainly due to the cost and bulk of taking 4 or 5 paperbacks offshore in a carry-on bag. I still have hundreds of books at home, many are old classics (to me) I have had since my teens. For that reason I've now sacked the ipad as my choice for books and have gone back to buying. I'd also like to start collecting for my own home library in the future.
I'm since progressed to an iPad for reading, as it is even easier and more convenient than the Kindle, but I'll still pickup and browse one of my old favourites occasionally.
I haven't been in Waterstones for a very long time.
I'm lucky, there's a fabulous Indy bookshop in my village, the lady that owns it is very enthusiastic. The shop is small but has an incredible selection of books, the owner has launched various book clubs and community initiatives.
I like the fact that she knows me and what books are likely to appeal to me. It may cost a little more than Amazon or Waterstones, however it's worth it for the personal service.
I'm lucky, there's a fabulous Indy bookshop in my village, the lady that owns it is very enthusiastic. The shop is small but has an incredible selection of books, the owner has launched various book clubs and community initiatives.
I like the fact that she knows me and what books are likely to appeal to me. It may cost a little more than Amazon or Waterstones, however it's worth it for the personal service.
Sadly a dearth of other options means Waterstone's is possibly the only bookshop many people see.
I do love going into an actual bookshop, even though I may be able to get the books cheaper online.
Nothing compares to browsing for ages, picking up a couple of books you didn't plan to buy and walking out with a stack of books to add to the "to read" pile.
A couple of things annoy me about Waterstone's though:
1) they dropped the apostrophe, Waterstone's became Waterstones ostensibly because the internet doesn't do apostrophes.
2) the multitude of loyalty / collection cards. I have a Waterstone's card which I collect points on. But they also do a separate "collect stamps" card where you get a stamp for every £10 and then you get a £10 gift voucher. The offer is fine, but at the moment it means I have 3 Waterstone's cards in my wallet.
I do love going into an actual bookshop, even though I may be able to get the books cheaper online.
Nothing compares to browsing for ages, picking up a couple of books you didn't plan to buy and walking out with a stack of books to add to the "to read" pile.
A couple of things annoy me about Waterstone's though:
1) they dropped the apostrophe, Waterstone's became Waterstones ostensibly because the internet doesn't do apostrophes.
2) the multitude of loyalty / collection cards. I have a Waterstone's card which I collect points on. But they also do a separate "collect stamps" card where you get a stamp for every £10 and then you get a £10 gift voucher. The offer is fine, but at the moment it means I have 3 Waterstone's cards in my wallet.
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