There is a lot to consider in starting a bookshop – location, name, website, shelving, marketing, staffing, e-commerce platform, curation of stock, branding…
Becoming a member of Booksellers Aotearoa NZ (Booksellers) can help you run your bookselling business more effectively online and in-store and keep your finger on the pulse of the book industry. Booksellers will represent your interests to the book trade and wider retail community and connect you with your peers. Find out more about membership here.
- Be realistic.
There’s a saying in this industry: “How do you make a small fortune in bookselling? Start with a large fortune.” Before you decide to open your bookstore, it’s important to understand the unique challenges and risks you’ll face. Becoming a member of Booksellers gives you access to our 2025 Bookselling Industry Survey, a crucial (and at times sobering!) report on the bookselling industry in Aotearoa.
- Think strategy.
What type of bookstore do you want and what type of customers will you try to attract? You must know your point of difference and have a clearly defined concept. A great way to start thinking about strategy is by researching other bookshops. Head to our Meet the Member page to find out more about the kinds of bookshops trading in Aotearoa.
- Write a business plan.
Write a detailed business plan detailing your store’s goals, strategies and financial projections. You can access advice and a free business plan template from business.govt.nz. Members of Booksellers also get automatic membership to Retail NZ, New Zealand’s leading retailers association. Through this membership, you can access Retail NZ’s Advice Service, download business resources and templates, and join training webinars.
- Location.
If you’re planning on opening a bricks-and-mortar store (rather than solely an online retailer), choosing the right location is essential. When shopping around for a retail space, be sure to consider:
– the foot traffic in the area
– the area’s accessibility
– what kind of other retailers are operating in the area
– the size of the premises
- Connect with suppliers.
Ordering books for your shop will mean setting up accounts with various distributors and publishers. The best place to find contact and ordering information for publishers is at the Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) website. Our new members can access more information about distributors in New Zealand on our member resources page.
- Get online.
It’s important to have an appealing website and social media presence for your business, as this is one of the core ways to connect with customers and demonstrate your business identity to a wider audience. At Booksellers, we offer our members social media assets to use across various campaigns, and we promote our members’ online presence across our own website and social media accounts. One way to direct traffic to your website (and generate sales) is by joining BookHub, a website that compiles the inventory of independent bookstores nationwide. You can find out more about BookHub here.
- Consider other products – not just books.
Many of the most resilient bookshops also sell other products, like jigsaw puzzles, stationery or greeting cards, to support their business. Consider what kinds of products would suit your brand and research suppliers in Aotearoa.
- Network.
The best way to stay engaged with the bookselling industry in Aotearoa is through a membership to Booksellers NZ. Stay across industry news through our weekly e-bulletin, The Read, and connect with fellow booksellers, publishers and the wider industry at our annual Booksellers Conference. The conference consists of workshops, keynote speakers, rep picks, business meetings and social events that are designed to bring the industry together in a creative and constructive environment.
Whatever kind of bookshop you’re thinking of opening, Booksellers Aotearoa NZ is here to help. Read our member’s handbook for more information about what we offer, enquire about membership here, or get in touch with any questions.
Resources:
Reinventing retail: The Novel Resurgence of Independent Bookstores, Ryan L. Raffaelli
The cultural Role and Value of England’s Independent Bookshops
5 Things you should know before opening a bookstore
Seven Habits of Successful Bookstore Owners / Entrepreneurs
Recommended Reading:
Bookshop Detectives: Dead Girl Gone
Diary of a Bookseller, Shaun Bythell