What are the benefits of being an independent business ? 

 

Being a part of the local community is the most important aspect of being an independent store, we often get to connect with other local businesses. 

 

Are there any particular challenges you face as an independent business?

 

Most of the challenges that occur for us stem from the pandemic and the current state of our economy; people are spending less money on items that aren't necessities due to the cost of living crisis so we have to be careful with our budgets.

 

What is your relationship with your customers like? On a local scale, are you able to connect with your customers? 

 

We love our customers! Both one off visitors and regulars! We are often recommending books to customers and helping build relationships with them. We use social media and our online book club to connect with our customers beyond the shop. We started the book club online as it began during the pandemic, now we are moving it to in person meetings, which will further help us connect with them. 

 

You obviously have a lot of sections in your shop, aimed at different audiences, is one section more popular than the others? Whether it's an age genre or simply a book genre, like history or fiction books.

 

Fiction is our bestselling adult genre - we have an ever-growing kids section which is popular all year round. I know that ‘BookTok’ on TikTok is a current trend, where people discuss recommendations and review books they’ve read. We are on TikTok and we find it’s helpful to look on there to see current recommendations for the younger generation. 

 

I saw online that you have a website: Hewson Books,  Bookshops.org, etc, where you have a myriad of positive feedback and reviews. I was wondering how being online helps your business? Do you feel you have increased your customer base?

 

We started our website during the first COVID lockdown and it has, since then, been such a valuable addition to our store. It is great to be on sites such as Hewson Books, so we can see both our reviews and questions from buyers, and our customers can see what we have to offer before they come into the store. 

 

What is your relationship like with other independent bookshops around locally?

 

We are the only independent bookstore in Sheen but we work with our sister shop The Kew Bookshop regularly and it is great to have that connection with a neighbouring place. 

 

A lot of authors are trying to get people to purchase their books from independent bookstores like your own, rather than Amazon or Waterstones for example. What are your opinions on bigger bookshops such as these? 

 

We love it when customers choose independent bookstores over these shops - it keeps us on the high street! 

 

What are the benefits, do you think, of shopping for books from independent stores? 

 

We often get indie editions and signed stock that is exclusive. For example, we get books with limited edition sprayed edges. On a wider note it is about being part of a community. Our booksellers are all very experienced to help customers find the perfect book! We also do lots of fun events, where guest authors come in for book signing and are able to meet some customers. For example, a few weeks ago Alice M Ross came to our store to sign copies of her brand new book ‘The Nowhere Thief’. 

 

Is there anything you would like people to know about running an independent bookstore? 

 

There are of course challenges, both due to the cost of living crisis and just in general being independent versus international stores such as Waterstones. But overall, it is an amazing job where we are able to connect with our customers from both our shop and The Kew Bookshop, whether they are one off visitors or regulars. Here at our store, we are very committed to bookselling and are always happy to help!