Independent bookstores make quiet comeback as big chains dominate retail

Taille de police

About 422 indie bookshops opened in 2025, up 31%, defying predictions of retail consolidationFor years now, we have heard that Amazon and the big chains are crushing small businesses, but independent bookstores are suddenly making a comeback.About 422 new indie bookshops opened in 2025, according to the American Booksellers Association, a 31% rise from 2024. Countless independent restaurants, coffee shops, fitness centers, movie theaters, clothing stores and other small businesses also continue to thrive even in this era of ever-bigger retailers, fast-casual restaurants and massive e-commerce platforms. Continue reading...

Continue reading on Guardian Business

This article was originally published by Guardian Business.

Articles liés

En développement·1 sa önce

Samsung Electronics expects 19-fold profit jump driven by AI memory chip demand

Samsung Electronics forecasts a 19-fold increase in profits for the April-June quarter, driven by high global demand for AI memory chips. The company expects record operating profits and sales, with analysts citing the AI boom and tight supply as key factors.

BBC Business

Business·6 sa önce

Amazon Business Course Bars Breastfeeding Mother Over Child Access Policy

Rachel Bews was denied access to an Amazon business course in Scotland because she needed to bring her 20-week-old baby. Amazon cited a health and safety policy prohibiting children under six on-site, despite a lactation room being available.

BBC UK News

En développement·6 sa önce

UK Banks Failing Vulnerable Customers with Basic Account Access, Regulator Finds

UK banks are failing vulnerable customers, including the homeless, by pushing them towards unsuitable online applications instead of offering basic bank accounts. The FCA found a third of customer experiences with these accounts were poor or very poor.

BBC Business

DERNIÈRE MINUTE·10 sa önce

Microsoft Announces 4,800 Job Cuts and Major Xbox Restructuring

Microsoft is eliminating approximately 4,800 jobs, representing 2% of its global workforce, as part of a cost-cutting measure and a significant restructuring of its Xbox gaming division. This includes shedding 3,200 gaming jobs and spinning off or reviewing five game studios.

Guardian Business

En développement·11 sa önce

ITV's broadcasting arm sold to Sky in £1.6bn deal, marking the end of an era

ITV is selling its broadcasting division to Sky for £1.6bn, a move seen as an end to an era for the 70-year-old company. The deal reflects the decline of traditional free-to-air broadcasting in the face of streaming giants, with ITV's digital revenues showing growth but not enough to offset the linear business's struggles.

Guardian Business

En développement·11 sa önce

Castlelake to Acquire easyJet for £5.5bn in Takeover Deal

US private equity firm Castlelake has agreed to a £5.5bn takeover of easyJet, offering £6.90 per share. The deal, which follows four previous rejections, is seen by analysts as a sign of UK firms being undervalued and bought cheaply by foreign buyers.

Guardian UK