Specialized Bookstores (lease, sales, agent, budget)

[AntiHero]

Hello,

I'm seriously thinking about opening a bookstore. I know about the strong competition by book chains. That's why I want to specialize.
I was thinking about a bookstore specialized in Baby's and Kid's books, a bookstore dedicated entirely to Travel related books (guides, literature, maps) or a used books store.

I personally like the idea of the Travel Bookstore best because travelling is my passion and I'm pretty knowledgable in that field but I'm not sure about lucrativeness of such an venture.

There are many potential specialization opportunities when it comes to books. What do you think? What concept is the best in your opinion?

Thanks

[scsigurl3000]

Originally Posted by AntiHero

Nevermind, you don't have to apologize. It's just that I wasn't looking forward to comments not related to the question and feel non-topic related things are somewhat insignificant in such a thread.

I think you're probably right. Maybe the question should be, if you go into business, shouldn't that business be one in which you excel and about which you have a passionate interest? Anyway, you mean a bricks and mortar store, right? Versus an online store? I think used bookstores do alright, maybe childrens' books, too. But I think if you specialize too narrowly it might be difficult to earn a living.

I would think for a narrowly specialized area (like Travel, say), you would do better online and could make something if you were very knowledgeable and creative, and wrote your own source code. You would have to develop and promote in a niche market.

Just my .02

[dougie86]

You both make my morning bright and cheerful. Good morning to you.
I normally purchased my travel guides at the airport bookstores. Last minute thingy. Read the manual when something goes wrong, not before. Hope your future customers are better organized than me.

[desertsun41]

You are stark starring nuts to blow money on any book store. Unless of course you get into the new craze of ebooks which will be the future of reading enthusiasts. The biggest names in books are closing stores. Now that their cafe sales exceed book sales then something is trying to tell you something.

During depression times like we have now, books are yet another thing people stop buying.

If you really love what you are doing then why not try it on-line for a while. If then you find success then take the risk of the expense of a store front.

[sean98125]

A travel bookstore would work if you opened in a location with a good amount of travelers, and you thought of yourself as more of a travel information and supply center instead of just a bookstore. There's a store in Seattle, Wide World Books & Maps - Seattle - Travel Gear from Rick Steves, Eagle Creek, Baggallini, Lewis N Clark and more - Travel Store - Seattle (http://www.wideworldtravelstore.com/shop/index.php - broken link), that has been around since 1976 and sells more than just books. They sell travel gear, luggage, maps, toys and games.

I think you need to offer shoppers something that they can't find online. It's easy to buy books online, but not expertise. Lease out a corner to a travel agent to run his business. Have travel writers do readings. Offer seminars on travel planning, destinations, budget travel and anything else people are interested in.

[FarNorthDallas]

In this age of amazon, e-readers, Half Priced Books and the internet - no way I'd open a specialized independent brick and mortar bookstore.