The big difference is that they are able to turn perceived analog weakness into strength, and sell that as a desirable lifestyle choice to customers. This new generation of bookstores all define themselves as an enlightened, more pleasurable retail alternative to Amazon and big-box stores. They are warm, inviting, often beautiful spaces, with friendly, knowledgeable staff, refined inventory, and a sense of place. Most support local authors, hosting reading groups, book clubs, and nightly events. They take all the things Amazon sees as liabilities (physical real estate, human workers, limited
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A strategy is both doing and not doing, but knowing why both.
