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Q: Bookstore openings, closings, operating in the U.S. ( Answered 4 out of 5 stars,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Bookstore openings, closings, operating in the U.S.
Category: Business and Money
Asked by: human12-ga
List Price: $20.00
Posted: 25 Apr 2005 12:34 PDT
Expires: 25 May 2005 12:34 PDT
Question ID: 514018
I would like to find out how many bookstores open, close and on
average, remain operating annually in the U.S.  It would be helpful to
include aggregates of all types but also, if possible, breakoutss of
types; chains, independents, Christian, Other Religious, etc.  It
would be ideal to find a place to get current updates from time to
time.

Request for Question Clarification by jab-ga on 25 Apr 2005 13:33 PDT
Are you asking about new, used, combination bookstores, or all three?

Clarification of Question by human12-ga on 25 Apr 2005 14:07 PDT
Since many incorporate used books into thier inventory (I would like
to live in Powell's in Portland, OR) I would like to include new, used
or a combination of the two.  But realistcally, new or combination of
new and used would be fine.  I could pursue the used under another
request if necessary.

Clarification of Question by human12-ga on 21 May 2005 18:22 PDT
Should I frame the question differently or am I to assume the price
might not be high enough?  It seemed appropriate looking at other
questions but...I see no response and wanted to know if something more
was needed from me.

Request for Question Clarification by pinkfreud-ga on 22 May 2005 10:00 PDT
I am quite interested in bookstores. In fact, I spent several years
working in one. Back when you first posted this, I spent a couple of
hours on your question, without fruition (and, of course, without
compensation). It might help if you would break this into components,
and post each part as a separate question:

How many bookstores open each year in the US?
How many bookstores close each year in the US?
How many bookstores are in operation in the US?
Where can I get updates of these figures?

Breaking this data out by types of bookstores may be a deal-breaker.
Finding any figures at all is difficult; Finding additional detail may
be next to impossible.

Sometimes questions remain unanswered because the difficulty (or
perceived difficulty) of the research is not counterbalanced by an
ample enough fee. I quit after about two hours of searching. If the
fee were higher, Researchers may be willing to risk investing more
time in the quest.

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 22 May 2005 10:33 PDT
You can find the latest Census Bureau data on bookstores in the US here:


http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0244i04.pdf


offering details of the 10,898 bookstores in the country, generating
$14.5 billion in sales.

There are some further details offered, of course, but pinkfreud's
earlier comment is right on the mark -- it may be quite difficult to
come up with data on opening, closings, specific sub-categories, etc.

Look over the Census report, and then please let us know how you think
we should proceed on your question.

Thanks,

pafalafa-ga

Clarification of Question by human12-ga on 24 May 2005 16:27 PDT
I think my question is fairly basic but, as you suggest, the data is
not as readily available as would allow for a quick, detailed answer. 
Strange for a supposedly data-driven industry.  The census link is OK
and somewhat helpful.  I may take up a collection to submit a higher
priced question in the same field but let's consider this closed and
answered.
  
Thanks,
Steve

Request for Question Clarification by pafalafa-ga on 25 May 2005 05:55 PDT
Steve the Human,

You're right about this being a data-driven industry, but most of the
data seems to revolve around book sales, and most of that is held in
proprietary databases, and only available at a cost of thousands of
dollars.

Before I repost the Census data I provided as a formal answer to your
question, I just wanted to check and see if there's anything else I
can do for you on this one.  If so...let me know.


paf

Clarification of Question by human12-ga on 25 May 2005 06:24 PDT
paf,
Let's close this one.  I'm OK with the answer all things considered. 
It was an excuse to see what GA could come up with for a subject I'm
genuinely interested in and involved with.  It confirmed some of my
suspicions about the accessibilty of some data and allowed me to jump
into the GA pool and play.  I was pulled into it by reading (perhaps
more than is healthy) other posted questions.  Thanks again.  More
next time!

Steve
Answer  
Subject: Re: Bookstore openings, closings, operating in the U.S.
Answered By: pafalafa-ga on 25 May 2005 06:45 PDT
Rated:4 out of 5 stars
 
Steve,

Thanks for the fast response (especially with only a few hours left
before your question expires!).  I know what you mean about spending
too much time reading Google Answers, but if that's your worst vice,
then more power to ya.

I'm reposting the link I provided earlier to make the answer 'official':


-----
You can find the latest Census Bureau data on bookstores in the US here:


http://www.census.gov/prod/ec02/ec0244i04.pdf


offering details of the 10,898 bookstores in the country, generating
$14.5 billion in sales.
-----


Hope we'll see you back here at GA one day soon.

paf


search strategy -- used bookmarked links to the Census Bureau
human12-ga rated this answer:4 out of 5 stars

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