The New York Times reported this morning that Amazon.com is now offering same-day delivery service. If you order a book by 10 a.m. (in select cities) you can have it on your door that same day for an additional $15.
For readers who prefer traditional books to ebooks, this service could be the new ideal, as it fuels our society of instant gratification. Yet, could this be a direct assault against already struggling brick-and-mortar stores, especially the independents?
This might be the ideal for readers who do not have the time to go into a store or cannot find that seemingly illusive book at their local bookstore. But what are the drawbacks of not going into a brick-and-mortar store?
“In this short attention span world we’re living in right now, it seems the trend is to shut down the last of neural pathways,” says psychological counselor, Cassandra Richmond. “These neural pathways allow us the opportunity to express our humanness by interacting with other human beings.”
In other words, bookstores have the advantage of providing customers with real-life experience. An independent store that becomes a community center, a safe-haven or a watering hole of sorts for readers is something an online retailer can never compete with.
“Being in the moment, being in the now, having your attention focused and enhanced in being in that environment,” Richmond expands, “People need that right now. If you’re in a bookstore, you’re focusing on what it is you want, metaphorically and literally speaking.”
So, if you’re looking for a real experience beyond the convenience, consider purchasing from a bookstore.
