For years now, niche bookstores (specializing in mystery, sci-fi, kids’ books, etc.) have been seen as better positioned than most indie bookstores to survive the changing book retail landscape. In a piece about the upcoming closures of Oscar’s Art Books and Toronto’s Cookbook Store, we write about whether niche stores are still the future.
We write: “One could argue their wide selection no longer gives niche bookstores a competitive edge, since about 50% of books in North America are now bought online. Online retailers specialize in the long tail; they have immense selection in every imaginable category.”