Is Amazon killing off bookshops?

It's not Amazon that's killing Book shops or any High street shop, it is the cost of parking in our cities, to buy a book in a book shop would cost me as much again in fuel and parking.

The wood used for books is from renewable managed forests, without which we would have considerably less forested areas across the world. It is the hardwoods that are endangered, these are not used for paper.

I'm another who laments the fact that Borders isn't in my local large town anymore. I discovered them in America a few years ago, before they ever came to the UK. Ours was extensive and stocked far more books than Waterstones, who are also a chain I know, but I'd hate them to disappear. It's very apparent, even in the larger branches that they don't stock even an acclaimed author's entire works, space constraints. I like Margatet Atwood for instance and annoyingly her books are not only on top shelves out of my reach, alas I'm only 5ft 3ins they only have a few of her back catalogue, hence people going to Amazon who seem to stock practically everything. I try not to though if I can help it.

I used to love the Ottakers in our local town - lots of 'different' books, not just the current bestsellers and cookery books, and assistants who were really interested.

Since Waterstones took it over it's just like any other chain store and the staff (such a they are) CBA...

When you use Hive, a percentage of the cost goes to a local bookshop of your choice. You can have them delivered, or sent to a bookshop to pick up. Free postage over £10.

I think it is prices that are killing off bookshops. I much prefer a "real" book. The feel, the cover, the satisfaction of turning the pages . But who can afford to pay the prices of the likes of Waterstones when you can usually get it much cheaper on Amazon or the likes. It also annoys me that I can buy a book from WH Smith online cheaper than I can buy it in one of their own stores . I can even pick the cheaper book up in one of their own stores but they won't match their own on line prices

gilly you run a business and know the overhead costs of staff/ premises/ rates etc. It is much more expensive for shops to provide books than a central warehouse. I think it is such a shame that our High Sts are becoming "services" centres(hair/nail/opticians/pubs/café etc and that retail is reducing. Whilst we are all watching costs more I guess it is inevitable.

Yes of course you are right Penstemmon . I do understand the overheads of running a business and small independent shops are no different making it impossible to compete with the likes of Amazon. Internet shopping does have a lot to answer for.

I love visiting a book shop, and this week I decided to reread some of my books I have kept because I felt I would like to reread them. To my disappointment most of them have print that is now too small to read comfortably. So it is back to using Kobo or Kindle because I can adjust the print size to make reading enjoysble.
I will however continue to visit book shops to buy books for DGC.