Book Report

A new study, about to be released this week, shows that small independent bookstores may be making a comeback. The study, by the American Booksellers Association, reports that about half of the 260 participating stores realized sales gains of more than 10 percent from 1998 to 1999. And this year, 40 percent of the stores have recorded sales gains of 10 percent or more, while just one in 10 stores reported declining sales. The independents have felt a declining impact on the market for some time, fueled mostly by the successes of large-store, multi-store chains such as Barnes & Noble and Border's Books. And, the positive sales figures notwithstanding, the big stores'power continues to be felt. The study also reported that independent bookstores'market share continued to fall, to 15.2 percent in 99 from 16.6 percent the year before.