Feature Articles

Ultimately, all businesses are systems. The quality and the reproducibility of those systems separates the good from the bad. A good group or franchise is, at its core, a good system.

Running a group or franchise is difficult as not only do the stores themselves need to run well, but there needs to be synchronisation and commonality between stores. Centralised information/systems are required; making cloud applications ideal.

A cloud application has the ‘have your cake and eat it’ advantage of being centralised and accessible from anywhere. If you are a multi store operation you should be looking at this kind of architecture.

Opening a bookstore is a great thing to do and you will be joining a supportive and inclusive community. Before you do, have a clear idea on what sort of store you want to be and if there is a local customer community for you. Use suppliers and associations to get advice and support and make sure you have enough capital to properly stock your store. Finally, get organised well in advance of opening, which of course includes getting a bookstore management system.

Starting a bookstore requires careful consideration of various financial aspects. From stocking an appropriate amount of inventory to designing an efficient floor plan, every detail impacts the success of the business. Understanding the costs involved in shop fitting, signage, branding, hardware, and other essentials is crucial for planning and budgeting. By being aware of these financial aspects and making informed decisions, aspiring bookstore owners can avoid costly mistakes and create a successful and sustainable business.

Loyalty programmes for bookshops that focus on ‘creating’ good customers. Learn about the CirclePOS no-strings attached loyalty programme.

The CirclePOS Promotions Tool with Discount Codes for Bookstores is a handy feature that lets bookstores craft personalised online promotions tailored for specific target audiences using discount codes.

Introduction Originally designed for new bookstores, CirclePOS has evolved over the years to support a growing number of second hand stores. Second hand bookselling is a specialised business with unique requirements and stock. Not least of which is the challenge of not being able to simply ‘reorder’ stock.  Although there are parts of the system … Read More

In this prime era of e-commerce, possessing a user-friendly, optimised, and visually appealing website isn’t just a bonus—it’s imperative. This is especially true for bookshops. Here’s why:

We have now implemented a setting that lets stores show not only that the title may be out of stock, but that it is on order and available to purchase. Quantities can also be included.  Additionally, if an item is out of stock and not on order, customers can also order the item. If stores prefer NOT to allow this kind of ordering then the ‘Notify Me’ setting can be applied.