Andy Hunter, founder and CEO of Bookshop.org, discusses the creation of an indie alternative to Amazon called bookshop. They explore how bookshop.org helps independent bookstores survive, the challenges faced in launching and maintaining an online bookshop, and their future plans to make systemic changes in the book industry.
Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores by donating a portion of profits from online purchases, providing a lifeline for these brick-and-mortar stores.
Andy Hunter envisions a future where independent bookstores regain market share in online sales, and Bookshop.org aims to expand its offerings to include e-books.
Deep dives
Supporting Brick-and-Mortar Bookstores
Bookshop.org, founded by Andy Hunter, aims to support brick-and-mortar bookstores by donating a portion of the money from each purchase made on the website. The platform provides a way for online shoppers to contribute to their local bookstores, helping them survive and thrive in challenging times. Bookshop.org has raised over $27 million in 2020, which amounts to 80% of its profit margin, benefiting independent bookstores across the country.
The Origins and Vision of Bookshop.org
Andy Hunter shares his personal connection to books and his dream of one day owning a bookstore. After working in the IT and publishing industries, Hunter witnessed the dominance of Amazon in the book market and the challenges faced by independent bookstores. Motivated to make a difference, he conceived the idea of creating an indie version of Amazon to support local bookstores. Despite initial obstacles in securing funding, Bookshop.org eventually launched, showing great promise as a platform that could empower independent bookstores and provide an alternative to Amazon.
Overcoming Challenges and Pandemic Acceleration
The early days of Bookshop.org were challenging, with a small team working tirelessly to build the website and address technical issues. However, the pandemic unexpectedly accelerated the platform's growth. As bookstores faced closures, Bookshop.org quickly became a lifeline, enabling them to continue selling books online. Within a month of its launch, Bookshop.org experienced a significant surge in orders, reinforcing the crucial role it played in sustaining bookstores during the pandemic. Bookshop.org currently supports 1,900 independent bookstores, accounting for 80% of such stores in the US.
Future Goals and Expansion
While Bookshop.org has achieved remarkable success, Andy Hunter aims to make a more substantial impact on the book industry. The platform currently represents only 1% of all online book sales, while Amazon dominates with 85-95% market share. Hunter envisions a future where independent bookstores regain a significant market share in online sales, allowing them to flourish and sustain themselves. Bookshop.org also aims to expand its offerings to include e-books, providing readers with the ability to support independent bookstores in the digital realm. Through continued growth and support, Bookshop.org strives to create systemic change in the book-selling industry.
Bookshop.org is an online book retailer that donates more than 80% of its profits to independent bookstores. Launched in 2020, Bookshop.org has already raised more than $27,000,000. In this interview, Andy Hunter, founder and CEO discusses his journey to creating one of the most revolutionary new organizations in the book world. Bookshop has found a way to retain the convenience of online book shopping while also supporting independent bookstores that are the backbones of many local communities.
Andy Hunter is CEO and Founder of Bookshop.org. He also co-created Literary Hub.
Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network.