Independent bookstores make quiet comeback as big chains dominate retail | US small business

We’ve been hearing for years that Amazon and big chains are crushing small businesses, but not independent bookstores. don’t do it suddenly a comeback.

According to the American Booksellers Association, approximately 422 new independent bookstores will open in 2025; This figure is a 31% increase compared to 2024. Countless independent restaurants, cafes, fitness centers, movie theaters, clothing stores and other small businesses also continue to thrive, even in this age of ever-expanding retailers, fast-casual eateries and massive e-commerce platforms.

The reasons are obvious.

First of all, we live in a big country. There are 360 ​​million Americans spread across 4 million square miles of land. Big companies can’t cover all of this territory, and even if they could, it’s irrelevant. There were so many different preferences, tastes, likes, dislikes, and inclinations that would lead consumers to any different type of retailer they chose.

There is also no shortage of entrepreneurship and independence in this country. Between 400,000 and 500,000 in the past few years new business practices applied every month! Millions of people want to own their own business and be their own boss, and these people will find unique ways to deliver their business products and services to their customers to make a living. The more solid the economy becomes, the more opportunities there are on the margins.

It’s often better and more enjoyable for people working in small businesses; thus, despite the compensation larger organizations can offer, small businesses make up half of the nation’s workforce. I’m always surprised when I see customers who pay their employees less than they would earn at a large company actually retain those employees, let alone attract new ones. From where? This is because when you work for a small business, there is less bureaucracy, more flexibility, and more chances to make a difference than when you work for a larger company. The smartest owners of independent businesses realize this and take advantage of these advantages to hire people who are committed, loyal, and believe in what their leaders are trying to do.

Independently owned businesses tend to have greater connections to their communities, resulting in greater loyalty and attention to their promotions, events, and special holidays that commemorate their existence, such as Small Business Saturday and National Small Business Week. Unlike chain stores, they create the image that the Main Street merchant is fighting the system.

As a result, people like to show that they care about their community by supporting their small businesses, even if the prices are a little higher. Consumers don’t just tolerate small businesses; They are increasingly choosing them as a reaction against big companies. And these businesses also donate by sponsoring Little League teams, hosting charity events, and managing local chambers of commerce and rotary clubs.

Small businesses fill the gap that big businesses do not fill. Large companies are scaling efficiency. Small businesses scale relevance.

The Barnes & Noble store near me has to meet that number every month and focuses entirely on moving product to make the most of every square inch of space. This isn’t as profitable as a location to inventory slower-selling games, even if they have a target audience. Small businesses fill this gap. They sell lesser-known books that only a small percentage of people will buy. Large companies are optimizing for scale. Small businesses profit by ignoring this.

Small business owners average about $80,000 per year. Their businesses tend to be less profitable than chain stores because they lack economies of scale, especially if they are located in a single location. But these business owners often prefer the flexibility and individuality of being their own boss, as long as the bills are paid, and they’re willing to take home less for that freedom. As a result, independent businesses can be more flexible with pricing and less bureaucratic with discounting and sales policies to keep their customers happy.

Believe it or not, many suppliers and homeowners also prefer to work with smaller companies. Large companies routinely take longer to pay, collections are difficult to penetrate, and accounting departments are difficult to maintain a staff of salaried employees who continue to receive their salaries each week, regardless of whether payment is overdue. Being a small business customer or tenant means dealing directly with the owner if there are any problems, and usually working with someone who is more reliable in purchasing items or occupies too small a space for a bigger fish to consider.

This doesn’t mean that independent business owners aren’t at a significant disadvantage compared to their larger counterparts. Inflation, tariffs, regulations and taxes affect them more. Competition is fierce. Advertising agencies, public relations firms, online platforms and social media sites prefer larger and larger clients. Standards, processes, procedures and systems are more difficult to formalize. Technology is more disruptive. Resources are lower. Stress levels are higher. Economic changes are more difficult to endure.

However, independent businesses may be more niche and focused on a specific customer base. They can pivot faster, add or delete product lines, start or terminate a service, or hire and fire an underperforming employee more quickly. Decisions are made faster. If they want to expand, they can. If they don’t, they won’t.

All these reasons explain the success of the independent bookstore owner, retailer, and restaurateur. Don’t worry when you read about the big corporate giant eating up its smaller competitors. There is, and always will be, plenty of room for independent small businesses in this country. Large companies will continue to grow. But these will never be everything; This is exactly where small businesses win.