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Reference documents
Necessary Books?
posted by Rob on February 11, 2009 09:18 AM
I've heard that betting shops do perfectly well in a recession. Had it survived, I suspect Woolworths might have been nicely placed too. What about bookshops? Are books luxuries that you cut back on, as opposed to necessities like food, shelter and iPhones? Or are books cheap and simple: good value when trips out or holidays abroad might overstretch your budget? I haven't got any historic data for the recessionproofedness* of books. But some of you guys must be terribly old experienced and wise. Are recessions good, bad or irrelevant for bookstores and publishing companies?
*Warning! Might not be a word.
Comments: 6
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Oh Rob, you'll be reading books on your iphone, you know you will, even if they haven't invented the right software yet!
Posted by: Sarah Bower on February 11, 2009 10:59 AM
Ho hum. I'm old/experienced enough to remember the last two recessions.
The good news is that people do in fact read more books in recessions for all the reasons you suggested.
The bad news is they buy them second hand. As I remember it, all the dedicated Oxfam 2nd hand bookshops arose in the last recession.
Posted by: Chris Nichol on February 11, 2009 11:32 AM
I heard a story on the radio this morning about 'them' charging a 7% tax on veterinary services here. So I guess I'll have to switch from playing with cats to reading more books after the cats get a cough and die because I can't afford to bring them in to get treated. Oh well. We all have to make sacrifices.
Posted by: Anna on February 11, 2009 03:50 PM
The last recession was a long time before the Internet explosion. How many distractions are available on the web for no money that no one would have dreamed of in the early nineties. Plus, who would have expected a computer you could hold in your hand that gives you access to the world's knowledge in an instant...
Posted by: adam on February 11, 2009 10:36 PM
Good question, and I am in the process of writing a report for research agency, BML, to try and get some answers to that very question! If anyone wants more information, please get in touch!
Sorry to use your lovely blog for a spot of promotion, but it was an opportunity too good to miss!
Posted by: Rachel on February 12, 2009 12:11 PM
more people go to libraries in a recession
Posted by: Jenn on February 12, 2009 07:02 PM