During my travels in Canada, I make it a point to visit museums, art galleries, and local bookshops whenever possible.
Despite the challenges posed by big box stores, online retailers like Indigo-Chapters and Amazon, as well as the rise of e-books, I have found that many independent bookshops in Canada are not only still in business, but thriving.
Some notable examples include Bookmark in Halifax, McNally Robinson Booksellers in Saskatoon and Winnipeg, and Audreys Books in Edmonton.
Recently, while reporting on mitigating wildfires, I had the opportunity to visit Mosaic Books in Kelowna, British Columbia. Despite its relatively small population of 157,000, the bookstore impressively spans 8,000 square feet and offers around 17,000 current titles, along with a vast collection of remaindered books. It’s a bookstore you would expect to find in a much larger city.
I had a meeting with the owner, Michael Neill, and the store manager, Alicia Neill, to discuss the state of booksellers in Canada.
Michael Neill has a unique perspective on the industry as the founder of Bookmanager, a software system used by over 530 independent bookshops in Canada and the United States. His acquisition of Mosaic Books and relocation to Kelowna were driven by his desire to have a store as a test bed for Bookmanager.
According to the latest analysis from Statistics Canada, physical bookstores remained the largest source of book sales in Canada, amounting to a 1.5 billion Canadian dollar market. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all model for success in the bookshop industry.
Michael Neill highlighted the diversity among independent bookstores, stating that each one has its own unique approach. This variety contributes to the resilience of independent sellers.
Michael’s interest in the book business originates from his mother, Madeline Neill, who started Black Bond Books in Brandon, Manitoba. He developed software to manage the store’s inventory, which eventually led to the establishment of Bookmanager as a separate business.
Although Mosaic Books faced challenges due to big box stores like Costco and Chapters, as well as online giants like Amazon, the Neills invested in its recovery and witnessed a resurgence of independents in the industry.
This resurgence is evident in the demand for Bookmanager systems, with approximately 100 shops currently on a waitlist. These independents are offering a unique experience that online platforms lack, allowing visitors to discover new books and engage with the physical environment.
If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that brick-and-mortar bookstores still hold a special appeal for book lovers. The ability to browse and stumble upon unexpected treasures is a distinct advantage over online shopping.
Ian Austen, a Canadian journalist based in Ottawa, has been reporting on Canada for The New York Times for over two decades. Connect with him on Twitter at @ianrausten.
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