A spike in the number of bookshops in New Zealand is part of a worldwide trend as people take a step down memory lane and flock to traditional bricks and mortar stores.Â
Booksellers NZ membership is now sitting just shy of 200, and includes all Paper Plus and Take Note community franchise stores.
Sarah Forster from Booksellers New Zealand told Tim Dower there has been an increase in the number of new bookshops over the past year, and it's not just unique to New Zealand, but part of a worldwide trend.
"It really is wonderful to see book lovers gradually coming to understand the value of their bookshop in their own neighbourhood.
Despite readers loving all formats, the physical copy has been able to prove its strengths.
"Bookshops are on the rise, readers are a unique type of people and so are booksellers. It is all about getting to meet and talk to people while browsing. You can find yourself in a magic place while time goes by.
There is greater confidence in independent bookshop ownership, with some owners being able to expand their stores last year."Â
LISTEN ABOVE AS SARAH FORSTER SPEAKS TO TIM DOWER
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