bookstore cafe business plan

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

American Cafe

How To Open A Bookstore Café: The Essential Planning Guide

UPDATED March 28, 2022 by Liz Amherst

The book café concept has become increasingly popular in the past decade. The idea of spending a relaxing morning sipping delicious coffee while reading a good book is attractive to both customers and investors alike. If you are interested in venturing into the coffee shop business, this is the guide! We have compiled the most important things to know on how to open a bookstore cafe.

Creating the Best Bookstore Coffee Shop Business Plan

Just like any business, the first thing you need to create is a business plan. The business plan contains all the important details, including the business concept, target market, start-up expenses, and more. It is the plan that you will present to investors to get them to buy into your idea. So, before renting out a location and purchasing all the books and coffee to sell , you need to craft your business plan carefully.

A good business plan should explain the basics of your business idea – what, where, when, how, who, and why. Writing down your business plan will also help you visualize and conceptualize all your ideas. It becomes easier to weed out bad ideas and stick with solid ones. Business plans also include a risk management scenario in case the business will be faced with uncertainties in the future.

1. Do your research.

You must do your research on how to open a bookstore cafe. Yes, ideas and concepts work, and passionate business owners almost always drive their business to success. However, all these are based on solid research work. You must take the time to study where you want to put up the café, what items you want to sell, who you will be selling to, why you want to enter this industry, and more.

The research before the plan is usually based mainly on the market. Is the market for a bookstore café growing? What types of coffee shops are already present in the area? Is there a positive outlook based on economic forecasts and trends? Answering these questions (and more) will help you better grasp the industry you want to enter.

A solid business plan is often based on solid research. Don’t skip this step because you will learn and adapt better when you have familiarized yourself enough with the business.

2. Find a niche.

Most cafés today have what we call a niche. A niche is your specialty, something that you can offer that other coffee shops may not have. But wait, isn’t a bookstore and coffee shop in one already a niche? Well, yes, it is! But with its increasing popularity, it is also good to find something that will make you stand out within this market.

For example, you may want to add some art in your café, making it a bookstore, art gallery, and café in one. Maybe you want to create specialty coffee based on the best-selling books of all time. Or maybe, you want to stick to a classical theme for the design, books, and coffee that you sell.

Whatever niche you select, you should read up on it first to learn if the niche will click with all the other elements of your café. Bonus points if you are passionate about the niche you choose, too.

3. Select a location.

As part of your business plan on how to open a bookstore cafe, you must select a good location. Choosing a space for your shop has more than a few considerations.

• Do you plan on having a wide space for several bookshelves plus the coffee shop, or do you want a small, cozy place for everything?
• Do you plan on using standard tables and chairs, or do you want comfortable furniture like couches and bean bags?
• Do you want your bookstore café to be situated in the downtown business district, or do you want it to be more like a community café in which locals can spend a whole afternoon?
• What is your budget for the lease of the space?

These are just a few questions that you must consider when choosing a location. Make sure that you always consider the type of customers that you want in your café, and of course, the budget.

4. Plan the café layout and inventory.

Once you know the available space, it is time to plan the whole layout and inventory of your café. This is a tedious task, but it requires a lot of details to ensure that you have a good plan. Here are some of the things to consider when crafting this section of your plan.

• Store layout – tables and chairs, bookshelves, coffee counter, kitchen, comfort rooms, and overall design.
• Coffee menu – includes initial inventory, types of coffees to be served , etc.
• Book inventory – includes what genres you want to stock, brand new or secondhand books, etc.
• Personnel – number of staff
• Store design – includes the overall theme, design, lighting, music, and art.

5. Plan the operations.

This is one of the most important parts of the business plan – how the café operates. An operational plan usually includes the following information.

• Management team and organizational chart – This determines a division of labor to ensure a seamless and efficient workflow.
• Store hours – You need to set your store’s schedule, so you can also schedule your staff accordingly.
• Process flowcharts for the café and bookstore – Flowcharts are important for any business, as it ensures the process of each part of the operation. This section may include flowcharts for making and selling coffee, recommending and selling books, opening and closing the store, escalating customer complaints, and more.
• Risk management planning – As we mentioned earlier, you must be prepared for any incidents that may happen during the operations. Thus, it is important to create contingency plans for emergency scenarios.

6. Plan the financials.

When you are exploring ways on how to open a bookstore cafe, you need to be financially prepared. A business plan is not complete without the financials. Often, this is the most critical part that investors or loan companies look at. For the financials, you have to consider the following items.

• Start-up costs – initial inventory, equipment, lease, etc.
• Operating expenses – utility bills, salaries and wages, lease expenses, inventory replenishment, etc.
• Marketing expenses – website and social media marketing , ads, and flyers, promotional discounts, etc.
• Taxes and license expenses – registration and license fees, taxes, etc.
• 5-year forecast of your gross revenues, operating expenses, and net income.

When planning your financials, don’t just limit yourself to these items. The main thing to remember is that you must be transparent about the financials so the possible investors will have a fair chance to decide on whether they want to fund your bookstore café or not.

Once you have your business plan and enough funding, keep in mind that things aren’t set in stone yet. You may update the plan every year, depending on how the operations and financials are going. As your business evolves, so should your capacity to plan and adapt to possible changes in the future too.

Although going through the steps on how to open a bookstore cafe is not easy, a solid business plan will help you handle any obstacles along the way.

To discover more awesome tips on cafés, go here.

• Kitchen Equipment
• Are Bertazzoni Ovens Good
• Coffeemaker
• Accessories
• About American Cafe
• Wine And Dine
• Wine For Seafood
• Winestation
• Wine Cellar Cooling Systems
• Skybar Serving System
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Condition
• Home Cooking
• Dry Cooking Techniques
• Homemade Recipes

You can send us a note too.

Read our Privacy & Cookie Policy

How To Start a Coffee Shop Bookstore

How to open a coffee shop and bookstore

Open a Coffee Shop Bookstore Business

Many entrepreneurs are interested in starting a coffee shop and opening up a bookstore because of the natural pairing . 

In opening a coffee shop bookstore, you will be marrying two different businesses that are quite independent and require other skills to manage and maintain.

A coffee shop and bookstore can have a positive symbiotic relationship, leading to greater profits for the owner(s). We believe starting a cafe bookstore business is viable in many communities and can be a great coffee shop concept.  

While it is possible to create a business out of each of these ventures separately, the opportunity for even greater success by combining both can be appealing. They can create multiple revenue streams that can be closely related and helpful to each other.

We will outline a few ways to start a coffee shop bookstore business in today's post. 

Scenario 1:  

Start a Coffee Shop Within an Existing Bookstore

In this scenario, you have an existing bookstore owner who would like to offer your customers espresso-based coffee drinks. Another revenue stream would be helpful in an era where bookstores are struggling with online competitors.

If you have the physical space to install a coffee bar area – and your existing bookstore business is properly zoned – then starting your café or coffee bar can be manageable if the right steps are taken .

Since your existing business plan will be changing, a thoughtful updating of your current bookstore business plan should be done. Looking at your already existing space and budget, you will have to decide on your coffee shop menu and the necessary coffee equipment you'll need. Additionally, you will want to research local permits – from your health and buildings departments.  And, of course, you will want to hire great baristas . In addition, training your baristas will help you achieve your customer service and revenue goals.

Additionally, you may need to renegotiate your current lease with your property manager, among other essential items.

If you already own a bookstore, you will need to:

• Confirm zoning requirements
• Secure any additional permits
• Figure out design and layout issues
• Buy and install coffee equipment
• Choose your coffee roaster and other vendors
• Train your staff and update your cafe POS System
• Develop and execute a marketing plan
• Recalculate your break-even point

In addition to the list above, you may want to consider your competition in your general vicinity. Are there any current coffee shops or drive-thru coffee stands that could pose stiff competition? Are there any coffee shop substitutes? Substitutes are those businesses that can provide coffee and other products you might sell in the vicinity. This may be a fast-food chain, a pancake house, or a bistro.

Take a look at the local competitive environment. If you decide that your business will still benefit from opening a coffee shop within your business, you should/may proceed with your coffee shop bookstore planning.

Scenario 2:

Start a bookstore with an existing coffee shop.

Like the first scenario, if you were a bookstore owner already up and running, starting your café/bookstore can be much easier.

This is also true if you already have an established coffee shop business. 

Expanding your space to include books may be an exciting addition to your business!  M anaging a bookstore might require different expertise, such as book inventory management and ordering. It may also require you to reexamine hiring, design and layout, and other essentials such as a new POS system . 

• Additional permits
• Rearrange space
• Renegotiate your intentions with your property manager.
• Buy shelving
• Connect with publishers and wholesale book warehouses
• Train Your staff and update your POS System
• Develop and Execute Your Marketing Plan

When you look at both of these, there doesn’t appear to be much of a difference. Well, it might be easier to start or add a bookstore in addition to your café because of the permit and health department requirements.

Spacing always seems to be a big issue for both cafe and bookstore scenarios, so making sure that you have enough space and enough back area space for storage, sinks, a mop sink, etc., will be important as well.

In the coffee shop bookstores we've interviewed, we found that the bookstore and coffee shop often compartmentalize their staff and management, especially if they are a bustling business. 

Scenario 3:

Start your coffee shop bookstore from scratch.

If you are starting a coffee shop from scratch , you may have an easier time than the other two scenarios because you will be able to dictate your location and physical space and fulfill your coffee shop concept from a clean slate.

If you owned an established space already, it might be hard to build out your cafe area or your bookstore area. Having a well-thought-out coffee shop bookstore business plan written will help you think things through.

Here are the steps you might want to take:

• Start your research
• Write your coffee shop bookstore business plan
• Look for the right location
• Get Necessary Permits
• Sign a property lease
• Buy and install shelving, tables, and chairs

Each of these elements is very important to your coffee shop bookstore business. They each require deep thought and reflection. Developing your concept, writing your coffee shop business plan bookstore, your equipment, and your property lease all require some well-thought-through decision making. 

Coffee Shop Bookstore Options Summary:

Start a Coffee Shop Bookstore Steps

Depending on which option you choose above, you will have to take specific steps to open your coffee shop bookstore. These steps will vary depending on your existing business or whether you are starting a coffee shop from scratch.

However, each of the mentioned coffee shop bookstore options does have similar steps, which we would like to outline below.

Write a Coffee Shop Bookstore Business Plan

Whether you are just starting or have an established business, it's best to start by writing a business plan before moving forward.

A business plan will help ensure that you've taken the time to think about each step specific to your coffee shop bookstore. While it takes work and thoughtful planning, the process of writing out your business plan is invaluable.

There are additional benefits to writing a business plan. Among them are saving money, time and determining whether your coffee shop bookstore idea makes sense.

For more information on writing your coffee shop business plan, read How to Start Your Coffee Shop Business Plan .

Find the Best Location

A coffee shop bookstore can be a fantastic asset to your community – if it's located in the right place. Like most retail businesses, your location decision is often the cornerstone to your success.

While you want to ensure that your target market is served, other practical considerations are also vital. These factors may include having enough parking spaces or be easily accessible for pedestrians, lighting, and safety issues, among others.

Know Your Target Customer

Your coffee shop bookstore location, and your target market are always linked. Spend time understanding who your coffee shop bookstore will be serving – and general coffee shop locations will rise to the surface.

If you need help determining your target market, consider creating a sample avatar description for your typical customer.

Your Coffee Shop Bookstore Avatar description:

Jane is a 27-year-old graduate student who lives and works near City University. She will stop into Coffee & Books almost daily for her favorite latte and choose from an assortment of muffins. She loves picking up the latest books and magazines we feature on science before waiting for her next class.

Helping you understand your customer will help you sort out your business plans, determine your location, and focus your attention on your menu items.

Coffee Shop Menu Items

Determining your menu will significantly affect your budget, equipment costs, and even hiring decisions.

Figuring out what's on your coffee shop menu board will also help you figure out just how much space you'll need. Your menu is a great way to differentiate yourself from your competitors and attract the clientele you are targeting.

Your menu development mixes in many variables:

• Who are your customers, and what do they want to buy?
• How much space do you have?
• Does your menu strengthen your branding?

If possible, you'll want to determine your menu and type of service hours of operation before you spend money on coffee equipment or remodeling.

Pro Tip: It's easy to want to be all things to all people. If you are unsure of how to proceed, focus instead on simplicity. Keep your menu simple, doable, and practical.

Coffee Shop Bookstore Competition

Unfortunately, bookstores aren't as plentiful as they used to be. But that doesn't mean that you won't have any competition.

While online booksellers now dominate the retail book market, you can still carve out a profitable space in the brick-and-mortar realm.  As you determine where you plan on opening your coffee shop bookstore, consider the existing competition in the area. You may also keep in mind the role those substitute businesses can have on your sales.

Whether they are an existing bookstore, stationery shops, fast food joints, corporate coffee shops, or independent cafes, you'll want to fully assess how your coffee shop bookstore will match up against established businesses in your area.

Lease Terms (may need to renegotiate)

The nature of your cafe bookstore business will often require the approval of the owner or property manager. If you have a small bookstore but want to add a coffee bar, your property manager may need to sign off on any remodeling. Look into your current lease terms and discuss this with the property's owner.

You may need to do light remodeling, add a small kitchen, or install a seating area to make your vision work. Additional changes to the plumbing, electricity, or ventilation systems should be pre-approved in writing before spending the time and money on the project.

If your property owner or manager is reluctant to change the lease terms or allow you to remodel, you may consider finding a new coffee shop bookstore location.

For a deeper look at coffee shop property leases, read: Things You Should Consider Before Signing Your Coffee Shop Lease.

Research Your Permits

Take a moment to research the necessary local county agencies involved in your coffee shop bookstore's permitting. For example, if you have an existing coffee shop, you'll most likely already know the staff at your local health department.

If you have a bookstore, you will need to contact the local health department and buildings department. Additionally, you may need to submit a revised floor plan and get approval from the fire marshal to determine occupancy.

In your planning phase, you will want to make the calls, collect the requirements, and determine how they will come together to satisfy each agency.

Buy Your Coffee Equipment and Vendors

Choosing the right coffee equipment will be essential to your planning and constitute a big part of your expenses.

Once you understand your target market, your menu, and your space, you should start shopping around for your coffee shop equipment. Several coffee equipment sellers in the United States and Europe can ship anywhere in the world.

Coffee equipment such as an espresso machine, coffee brewers, ice-makers, coffee grinders, blenders, and toasters may be what you'll need. Additionally, you will want sinks, storage racks, refrigerators, and small wares.

Along with your equipment comes choosing your food vendors, paper suppliers, and your wholesale coffee roasters. I recommend that you develop partners with local vendors. Having the freshest items from local businesses is ideal for coffee shop businesses.

For further information, read How to Choose Your Coffee Shop Coffee Equipment.

Getting Your Book Inventory

As a bookstore café, you'll need to have an inventory of books. If you are an existing bookseller, you'll have established contacts and vendors. If you are starting from scratch or a coffee shop owner, you will need to look at where you will get your books.

Resources like the Nonfiction Authors Association have resources that will point to the wholesale distribution of books.  You can also look at organizations like the Independent Book Publishers Association. Other resources include BookDepot.com.

You may also consider selling used books if you sell new ones. While accepting used books is an entirely other skill, the payoff may be worth it.

Many used bookstores often get books dropped off by people who no longer want them. Some offer store credit or cash for a fraction of the cost. You will have to ultimately decide what the best model for you to get your inventory would be

Market Your Coffee Shop Bookstore Like Crazy

As your established business or your new coffee shop bookstore gets ready to open its doors, you will want to invest in marketing your coffee shop bookstore like crazy.

Marketing like crazy doesn't have to be expensive. But it should be well-thought-through.

Take care of the basics, like developing your logo and brand, setting up your coffee shop website , opening your social media accounts, and reaching out to bloggers and local media. You may also need a total makeover and rebranding, so you will want to figure that into your overall budget.

Your Coffee Shop Bookstore Grand Opening

Having a “grand opening” weekend or month will drive community awareness, buzz, and excitement.

Your grand opening should be the start of your year-long master marketing plan to introduce (or reintroduce) yourself to your community and your customers. Hook them in with loyalty cards and stay laser-focused on building relationships.

Invite local authors to discuss their books. Host music events if possible. Partner with schools, colleges, or senior organizations to boost your traffic as you celebrate your opening.

For more information, read How to Prepare for Your Coffee Shop Grand Opening .

Other Coffee Shop Business Articles You May Be Interested In:

Start a Coffee Shop Bookstore

Successful coffee shop bookstore concepts.

Over the years, we have seen various concepts, whether the storm of today's volatile market for books. I can't emphasize enough the importance of doing the necessary market research, writing your business plan, and picking out the perfect location for your specific concept.

College Bookstore Café

While colleges and universities have their own bookstores, there are often one or two independent booksellers that thrive where students and academics live. Could this be your coffee shop bookstore concept?

If you live near colleges, universities, or other schools – having a bookstore café could be a winning option. You may work with various college departments to supply students books or supplemental learning materials. Or you can add a community space for additional off-campus lectures, music events, and fundraisers.

Adding local school merchandise and offering regular discounts to your neighboring schools could also be a win-win situation. A built-in local fan base wanting school merch could also help drive sales.

Newspaper Coffee Shop Bookstore

Newspaper stands are often relics of the past. But there is still a need for such coffee shop bookstores. And in specific communities, such a bookstore café concept could be a winner.  Your location, target market, and product offerings will play a significant role in exploring this path. Therefore, your market research to determine viability will need to be thorough.

Niche Bookstore Café

Niche bookstores that focus on a particular issue like politics, science, tech, or spirituality may be the most viable option in today's marketplace for bookstores. While trying to appeal to everyone may seem like a good strategy, it can often dilute loyalty, branding, marketing, and sales.

However, the more specific the niche, the more success you might have – as long as the market base is big enough.

If you are the niche bookstore café for all things science or politics in your area, then you set yourself apart from the competition.

Additional Questions:

Is a coffee shop bookstore profitable.

Coffee shops can be profitable, and existing bookstores can be advantageous as well. But it's no secret: Bookstores everywhere struggle to stay in business. Only those willing to adapt and cater to a changing market can be sustainable.

Clearly understanding your customer, your competitive advantage, and the ability to market and move your inventory will play a critical role in your profitability.

However, coffee shops can be very profitable. Adding a small selection of books or magazines may be appealing, drive additional sales, and increase profitability.

The idea with a coffee shop bookstore is to leverage the possibilities and sales to serve your market and generate more money from a new revenue stream.

What are other coffee shop concepts good for starting a business?

Starting a coffee shop bookstore is one of many coffee shop business concepts that may work in your city or area.

Once you determine what area you want to start a coffee shop, take some time to figure out what your potential customers want. What would coffee shop concepts resonate with them?

For more information, please read our article, 50 Great Coffee Shop Concepts .

What are the best books to start a coffee shop?

Starting a coffee shop is a comprehensive endeavor. Rarely does one book cover everything you need to know to run a successful coffee shop. With that said, we've written the most comprehensive coffee shop business book, Getting Your Flow, How to Successfully Launch Your Coffee Shop.

We have also written supplementary coffee shop business books that are important to review before you open a coffee shop.

For more information, please read The Best Coffee Shop Books to Start a Coffee Shop.

How to Start a Coffee Shop Bookstore

We've covered much ground here. Starting a coffee shop bookstore can be an exciting and profitable addition to your local community.

• Research your concept
• Determine who your customers will be
• Write your coffee shop business plan

Let me summarize a lot of the key points to consider when starting a coffee shop bookstore below:

• Write your business plan
• Get additional permits
• Determine your new design and layout
• Resubmit plans to agencies
• Renegotiate your intentions with your property manager
• Sign your coffee shop property lease
• Choose Your Coffee Shop Menu
• Buy shelving, furniture, and fixtures
• Develop and execute your marketing plan
• Connect with publishers and wholesale book distributors
• Train Your staff and update your coffee shop POS system
• Market your coffee shop bookstore like crazy

Your Coffee Shop Bookstore:

Planning, Planning, & More Planning

Your coffee shop bookstore success all comes down to your research and planning.

We encourage you to plan, research, seek advice, write your coffee shop business plan , and get the expertise of people who are already doing what you would like to do.

We've created a coffee shop startup kit that allows you to hear directly from coffee shop owners and entrepreneurs who have already succeeded or failed .

We believe there is a lot to learn from speaking from those who have already done what you want to do. Our common-sense approach to learning how to start your coffee business can help you develop your retail coffee expertise.

Get The Complete Coffee Shop Startup Kit &

Start your coffee shop planning.

Comprehensive. Convenient. Affordable.

Coffee Shop Startups is the premier coffee shop business resource for aspiring entrepreneurs. We provide the most comprehensive way to research and plan your coffee shop business.

Our Complete Coffee Shop Startups Kit is packed with everything you need to know before you open your coffee shop business. With hours and hours of one-on-one interviews, you'll hear from real-world coffee shop business owners and experts.

When you purchase The Complete Coffee Shop Startups Kit , you receive an invaluable collection of exclusive resources designed to help your coffee shop business grow.

These tools will get your coffee business on the right track and give you the motivation to move forward with confidence.

There’s never been a better time to start a coffee shop business. And there’s never been a better resource to help you get started the right way.

Now’s the time to take action – but only you can do that.

The Complete Coffee Shop Startup Kit

(Instantly Delivered To You)

Explore In-Depth Coffee Business Articles:

How to Start a Bikini Barista Drive-Thru Coffee Stand

The Pros and Cons of Starting a Coffee Shop Business

Developing a Successful Coffee Shop USP

Free and Affordable POS Systems for Coffee Shops, Drive-Thrus, and Mobile Coffee

Best POS For Drive Thru Coffee Stands

Are Infused Coffee Profiles Good For Your Coffee Business?

• Coffee Blog
• Mobile Coffee Coaching
• Testimonials
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Refunds, Terms & Conditions

All of our kits are delivered digitally. No physical delivery is made.

Based in Seattle, Washington, USA, Coffee Shop Startups is dedicated to providing you the most relevant information on how to start a coffee shop business successfully.

Over the last 10+ years , we’ve helped thousands of aspiring coffee business owners around the world. We harness the experience, wisdom, and knowledge of many successful coffee shop owners to help you increase your chances of success and profits.

Your trust in us is important. Buy securely online with our Teachable Payment System. We have a no-hassle 30-day refund policy. Simply email us and we’ll refund your money within 30 days of your purchase. Read our testimonials from satisfied customers!

• Business Plan for Investors
• Bank/SBA Business Plan
• Strategic/Operational Business Plan
• L1 Visa Business Plan
• E1 Treaty Trader Visa Business Plan
• E2 Treaty Investor Visa Business Plan
• EB-1 Business Plan
• EB-2 NIW Business Plan
• EB-5 Business Plan
• Innovator Founder Visa Business Plan
• Start-Up Visa Business Plan
• Expansion Worker Visa Business Plan
• Manitoba MPNP Visa Business Plan
• Nova Scotia NSNP Visa Business Plan
• British Columbia BC PNP Visa Business Plan
• Self-Employed Visa Business Plan
• OINP Entrepreneur Stream Business Plan
• LMIA Owner Operator Business Plan
• ICT Work Permit Business Plan
• LMIA Mobility Program – C11 Entrepreneur Business Plan
• USMCA (ex-NAFTA) Business Plan
• Franchise Business Plan
• Landlord business plan
• Nonprofit Start-Up Business Plan
• USDA Business Plan
• Cannabis business plan
• Ecommerce business plan
• Online boutique business plan
• Mobile application business plan
• Daycare business plan
• Restaurant business plan
• Food delivery business plan
• Real estate business plan
• Business Continuity Plan
• Buy Side Due Diligence Services
• ICO whitepaper
• ICO consulting services
• Confidential Information Memorandum
• Private Placement Memorandum
• Feasibility study
• How it works
• Business Plan Examples

Bookstore Business Plan Sample

FEB.16, 2018

Bookstore business plan for starting your own business

Are you thinking of how to open a bookstore ? Even though the digital era has popularized the use of electronic and audio books, there is a considerable size of the population that still prefers to read printed books. With the right plan and strategy in place, it is possible to open a bookstore that will transform into a profitable venture with good returns. There are different approaches of starting a bookstore considering you can either open an all-inclusive bookshop or concentrate on a specific niche. The book reading culture is still alive and becoming a bookstore entrepreneur is definitely a smart idea .

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

The bookstore will be registered as ZemBook Store in downtown Santa Monica, California . ZemBook Store will be owned and managed by Christine Jenns who is an accomplished author. The bookstore will offer a variety of exciting books cutting across various genres and categories. Christine has written several fiction and non-fiction books with some having won awards in various competitions.

2.2 Management Team

ZemBook is managed by Christine Jenns who has worked in the book industry for more than thirty years. Given her experience in the industry, Christine has always wanted to open her own bookstore, and her in-depth knowledge of the book business including operations makers her qualified to run the business. Given her experience, Jenns understands how to start a bookstore and keep high standards of professionalism and offer quality books. But even she needs a bookstore business plan sample.

2.3 Customer Focus

ZemBook will primarily serve Santa Monica book lovers who live within the city. Customer demographics will be vast and cut across a wide age gap as both children and adults will find ZemBook a favorite place to grab their favorite books.

2.4 Business Target

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Christine Jenns is an expert author who has written many books in areas of psychology, marriage and other key society niches. Jenns has previously worked for major magazine and publication companies across the United States. During her thirty year career, Christine has written numerous award winning books, participated and recognized in various global events.

3.2 Aim of Starting the Business

Due to her immense passion for books, Christine was keen on becoming an entrepreneur and continue her passion in a highly dynamic business environment. The bookstore will be a perfect platform to continue developing her writing career as she intends to sell her own books, as well as sell feature books from other authors. Her business plan for book store  is aimed at starting an enterprise that will help boost a reading culture and equip her customers with useful knowledge.

3.3 How the Business will be started

To ensure the bookstore achieves its targets, Christine with the help of experts has formulated a comprehensive business plan for book store that will attend all aspects of financing and forecast sales. The plan captures key aspects such as expenses, investment, assets and loans. Below is a breakdown of key financial aspects which include; capital and liabilities, total planned investment, start-up funding, total assets, capital required, start-up expenses and total liabilities.

Services for Customers

ZemBook bookstore will offer different types of books for its customers. The main products and services offered will include;

• Vast selection of books i.e. fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, cookbooks, artbooks and foreign language titles among others.
• Stationery items such as binders, paper notebooks, file folders, staplers and report covers among others.
• Art Supplies such as brushes, canvas, kits, art papers and paints.
• Electronics i.e. flash drives, headphones and calculators.
• Gift wrapping service for customers buying books as gifts for their loved ones.

When planning how to start a bookstore business, it is important to know products and services that shall be offered by the bookstore.

Immigration Business Plan

Marketing analysis of a bookstore.

To ensure the business starts and remains profitable throughout, ZemBook has carried out a comprehensive market analysis. This detailed bookstore business plan template is aimed at implementing a working strategy that will be rolled into action after the bookstore has been opened. The marketing analysis is meant to elaborate the plans ZemBook has in order to successfully operate in a highly competitive environment. Christine has been assisted by experts to draft a performance-oriented marketing plan that will support her bookstore operations.

Even though technology has largely influenced reading patterns, there are many people who still prefer to read traditional printed books. The management of the bookstore has done extensive analysis of the market especially to know the target audience. With information in this example of a business plan for bookstore , ZemBook knows what it should do to attain high levels of success.

5.1 Market Segmentation

After doing market research, ZemBook Bookstore has identified the following groups of people as target audiences, and therefore potential bookstore clients.

5.1.1 Parents / Adults

The bookstore has a wide variety of books written for mature audiences and therefore, any adult is a potential target customer. Adults including parents find joy in reading their favorite books especially while relaxing. This category includes any adult who is an avid book reader constantly looking for exciting books to add to their collection.

Book lovers in Santa Monica and the surrounding areas will have a bookstore located in a prime central location to serve their needs. Customers are expected to be drawn from various cultural, religious and social backgrounds who love to read. Given that they earn a steady income, their purchasing powers are high and therefore, are a key market segment for the bookstore. There is need to adequately cater for this group by offering a wide range of quality and interesting book collections.

5.1.2 Children

Children are a special group of customers for ZemBook because kids naturally love books i.e. story books. Despite the new technology trends that have introduced electronic books, children love printed books and get attached to them. There are numerous categories of children books and offering a wide variety is the best way to appeal to this target audience.

Kids love to have a large collection of books and the bookstore plans to have children books starting from kids learning to rid to older children. Since they don’t have an income, children rely on their parents and guardians to buy them books. For this reason, this group has a close association with adults/parents discussed in section above.

5.1.3 Students

ZemBook sells different kinds of stationery which is required by both students. Since the store stocks items such as books, staples and files among others, there is a need to attract customers who are in need of these items. Even though they might not contribute as much revenue as the first two discussed customer groups, they are an important target group to consider.

5.1.4 Office Workers

Office workers will be important customers for Zembook. The book shop business plans to sell stationery required frequently by office workers. Since there isn’t a bookstore in the neighborhood, Zembook bookstore is exactly what office workers need, so there is enough market without any competition.

5.1.5 Seniors / Grandparents

Seniors spend a lot of their time reading as most of them have retired from active career lives and are looking for a way to unwind and pass time. Because of their age, technology doesn’t really fascinate them and so, they still prefer to read traditional printed books as opposed to electronic books. They’re an important target group as those who love reading are likely to spend a good amount of money buying books.

5.2 Business Target

ZemBook targets to be the most popular bookstore in downtown Santa Monica. According to the financial forecast, the bookstore anticipates to recover the entire initial capital within the first three years after launching operations. It is also projected there will be an average of 15 -20% annual sales growth. For the business to meet its sales targets, the bookstore hopes to provide a wide variety of books as well as ensure top professionalism and exemplary customer service. How to open a bookstore business plan emphasizes the need to learn how to employ smart strategies to remain in business. ZemBook will capitalize on building sustainable long relationships with its customers.

5.3 Product Pricing

Product pricing is important for the survival of the bookstore. After doing an extensive market research, ZemBook has purposed to offer attractive but competitive prices for all its products in order to attract and retain customers. In this bookstore business plan sample , the business has shared how it intends to price some of its major products.

After carefully surveying the market, Christine Jenns has turned her focus on implementing a smart and tactical sales strategy that will woo customers to her bookstore. With support from marketing professionals, the following sales strategy has been proven to work well when opening a bookstore .

Excellent work from OGS capital and i…

Excellent work from OGS capital and i will recommend this company to any one for sure.

The sales strategy intends to cover the following areas:

6.1. Competitive Analysis

ZemBook is expected to face stiff competition as there are other bookstores spread across different locations in the city. The bookstore is capitalizing on its strategic and busy downtown location that is directly accessible both for pedestrians and motorists. The bookstore is located close to other major shopping amenities that are frequently visited by visitors and residents thus guaranteeing better visibility of the premises. ZemBook hopes to tactfully organize its product pricing structures to woo customers but at the same time, ensure projected profits are realized according to the business plan for book store .

6.2 Sales Strategy

In order to know how to start a bookshop and run it successfully, ZenBook has put in place these ambitious and smart sales strategies to ensure the bookstore outshines its competitors.

• Focus on book lovers, a key market segment that is growing on a daily basis. These are customers who’re willing to do anything to have their favorite book.
• Understanding what the customer needs and responding to those needs in the best way possible. Do market research to see what sells and innovate solutions that support the bookstore’s growth strategy.
• Ensure shoppers enjoy their time while at the bookstore by offering friendly and professional customer service.
• Establish the bookstore in a central location that is visible and easily accessible for customers.
• Vigorously market the bookstore on various media platforms i.e. local television, radio and on the digital space i.e. social media. Utilize exhibitions and events to market the bookstore.

6.3 Sales Forecast

ZemBook believes its well-laid-out strategies are a perfect demonstration of how to run a bookstore business and attain profits within the shortest time possible. The business plan for book store has forecasted an impressive boost and growth in annual sales. Based on the sales strategies, the bookstore hopes to meet the following sales targets on an annual basis. The following table and charts show information regarding the bookstore’s sales forecasts.

Personnel Plan

ZemBook aims to be the best bookstore by offering superb products as well as exemplary customer service. In order to achieve this, the business has put together a winning team that will be tasked with running the business on a day-to-day business. If you’re unsure of how to start your own bookstore with a lean and effective staff, see how ZemBook has proposed its personnel plan.

7.1 Personnel Plan

ZemBook bookstore is owned, managed and controled the implementation of the business plan for book store by Christine Jenns who is an accomplished author. She will be assisted by Joe, the Assistant Manager who is conversant with book store operations and will be in-charge of administration and staff welfare. In addition, there will be two floor staff to assist customers coming to the bookstore, one store cashier, one sales and marketing executive, an admin and one cleaner. To ensure the bookstore only admits professional staff, the business will conduct intensive interviews, and offer on-job training for successful applicants one month before starting the job.

Financial Plan

ZemBook has formulated a comprehensive financial plan that will be instrumental in helping the business achieve bookstore business plan goals. The bookstore will be financed by the owner, Christine Jenns and two investors.The funding available is enough to cater for initial business set-up so no external bank loan to business plan for bookstore will be borrowed. The following is a detailed breakdown that can also help you learn how to open your own bookstore and effectively forecast and manage its finances.

8.1 Important Assumptions

The bookstore’s has indicated its financial projection on the basis of these assumptions.

8.2 Brake-even Analysis

The graph below explains the bookstore’s Brake-even Analysis.

8.3 Projected Profit and Loss

8.3.1 monthly profit.

8.3.2 Yearly Profit

8.3.3 Monthly Gross Margin

8.3.4 Yearly Gross Margin

Profit and loss information has been illustrated in the table below.

8.4 Projected Cash Flow

The projected cash flow for ZenBook is explained in the following column diagram.

Download Bookstore Business Plan Sample in pdf

Professional OGS capital writers specialized also in themes such as online boutique business plan , bridal store business plan , bubble tea shop business plan , business plan for butcher shop , business plan for a cell phone , clothing company business plan and many others.

OGSCapital’s team has assisted thousands of entrepreneurs with top-rate business plan development, consultancy and analysis. They’ve helped thousands of SME owners secure more than $1.5 billion in funding, and they can do the same for you.

Add comment

E-mail is already registered on the site. Please use the Login form or enter another .

You entered an incorrect username or password

Comments (0)

mentioned in the press:

Search the site:

OGScapital website is not supported for your current browser. Please use:

404 Not found

How to Start a Bookstore

  On This Page:

• How to Open a Own Bookstore

How Big is the Bookstore Industry?

What are the key segments of the bookstore industry, what external factors affect the bookstore industry, who are the key competitors in the bookstore market, what are the key customer segments in the bookstore market, what are the typical startup costs for a new bookstore, are bookstores profitable, how to start a bookstore faqs, helpful videos, additional resources.

Bookstores are an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in becoming self-employed. They can also be very profitable. In this article, you’ll learn the key steps to launching your bookstore and things to keep in mind when doing so.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a bookstore is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Bookstore Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Bookstore Business Plan Template here

How to Open a Bookstore

Here are the key steps to starting your bookstore.

Write a Business Plan

Before opening your store, do market research for your target audience and write your bookstore business plan . This will help you determine how much money you need to open your store and  potential risks to avoid.  Without a business plan, it’s very easy for things to go awry rather quickly—you may not be thinking about certain important factors when you are getting started and it could create a poor reputation for your business from the start.

How Much Does it Cost to Open a Bookstore?

One thing that can really change when considering how to start a bookstore is the amount of money needed in order for the whole process—opening and running—to be successful. The number varies depending on what type of bookstore you want to open.

The average independent bookstore requires a minimum of $60,000, especially during the first month with all the startup costs involved. This includes expenses such as general liability insurance, shelving, register and counter space for check outs, tables, displays, etc. To track these expenses and incoming revenue, you need to open a business bank account.

Marketing Plan

Odds are that you’re already aware of how hard it can be to get people into a bookstore, even if they live directly next door. Think about what you plan on doing in order to drive foot traffic into your bookstore—do you have upcoming events at specific times? Will there be book signings? Advertise these events on your Facebook page and other Social Media accounts to increase your reach. Even candy samples can make a difference.

Location, Location, Location…

Where will your bookstore be located? Think about logistics more than anything else—it doesn matter how good your store is if people never find out about it. Think about how you’re going to get people in the door and, more importantly, how they can get back to your store again for future purchases.

Determine Initial Inventory

Once you’ve finalized the business plan, start contacting local distributors about getting inventory. Inventory management is one of the most important things to think about when opening a bookstore—will you buy new or used books? While it may be tempting to get up and running quickly by buying used books, you’ll find that something like half the cost of every book will need to go straight back into restocking. This can really change how much money you’re making per year so it’s something worth thinking about before starting out.

One thing that isn’t changing anytime soon is people’s love for books. Think about what kind of bookstore will succeed in your area—it’s unlikely there’s a need for yet another small independent bookstore in the world so you’ll really be standing out if you open up something unique and exciting.

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

If you’re thinking about how to start a bookstore, consider the size of the book industry first. Consider the following statistics related to bookstores and the book retailer market as a whole:

• Measured by revenue, the bookstore industry’s current market size is $9.3 billion.
• In the coming years, consumer spending on discretionary items such as books is expected to increase which provides bookstores a potential opportunity for growth. 

The market is strong but it’s increasingly moving online. If you want to start a bookstore, don’t be discouraged. There are plenty of book retailers who are still managing to do well despite these changes.

Furthermore, many new ways of marketing books have opened up opportunities for small businesses that didn’t exist ten or twenty years ago.

Bookstore chains are the biggest segment of the bookstore industry by far—in fact, if you took away all independent bookstores and accounted for both e-books and other sales, stores like Walmart wouldn’t even appear on this list.

Other segments of the industry include:

• Independent Bookstores
• Mass Merchandisers 
• E-book Sales
• Textbook Bookstores
• Used Bookstores

If you’re thinking about starting a bookstore, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Consumer spending is always very closely monitored. If the market for consumer goods starts to feel risky or unstable, businesses will likely respond by limiting their investments until demand stabilizes again.
• Competition with online retailers is increasing due to how easy it has become in the past few years to shop online in comparison to making in-person purchases.
• The increasing popularity of electronic reading devices including tablets is leading more people away from physical books—this isn’t necessarily detrimental since many still prefer reading hard copies, but it’s something worth considering when trying to figure out how much revenue your bookstore will bring in each year.

Competition in the bookstore industry is very stiff, and there are a wide variety of different types of bookstores that all aim to attract customers in slightly different ways.

Large Chains 

The biggest competitor in the market is still physical stores like Barnes & Noble and Books A Million, although Amazon’s growing presence is making more consumers have second thoughts about whether or not they should continue shopping at brick-and-mortar stores.

Independently Owned Stores

There are still plenty of independently owned stores out there trying to compete with large chains. If you offer something new, it might be easier for you to stand out against larger competitors since many of them have become so similar over the years.

Online Retailers

Amazon has become one of the biggest competitors in this market—many consumers would rather pay a bit more to buy through Amazon instead of going to a brick-and-mortar storefront. Not only that, but they’ve started selling used books which has put a huge strain on independent bookstores.

Wholesale Clubs

This isn’t necessarily a place where you can purchase books from, but wholesale clubs have been growing rapidly in recent years due to how affordable they are compared to traditional stores so it’s worth keeping them in mind when starting your business plan.

Customer segments are groups of customers who have a similar group of demands. For example, the upscale-connoisseur segment is a customer segment that can be found in many bookstore markets. They often have a high level of income and want to purchase books from well-known authors as opposed to those from up-and-coming writers.

In order to have success in this type of business, you should consider how different types of potential customers will react to what you’re offering. You’ll need to do some research beforehand so you know whether or not what you plan on selling will appeal to your target audience. If it doesn’t, it might be time for you to rethink your plans and figure out something else—for example if someone wanted books about how to knit, they’d likely be very disappointed in your selection if you only had books about painting.

You should also consider how well other bookstores are selling the books that you plan on selling. If another nearby business has a good selection of what you’re planning on selling, then you should consider lowering your prices in order to attract more customers. This will help increase bookstore sales and make sure that more people end up buying from you instead. However, this might not be an option for everyone so it’s important to think about whether or not it makes sense for your business first.

The startup cost for a bookstore will vary depending on what you intend to sell. To start this type of business, you’ll need to consider the price of buying books in bulk (this includes purchasing at least 50 copies of each book), hiring employees, and renting out commercial space.

To get an estimate for how much money you might have to spend when starting your business, there are many different questions you should ask yourself beforehand. You should think about which items you want to sell—how much do these types of books typically cost? Do I need to buy them new or can I purchase them used? How much does it cost if I decide to purchase these materials online versus in-person?

Other startup costs to consider include:

• Renting commercial space
• Buying books in bulk
• Labor costs
• Inventory storage/display units
• Signs for your retail business

In addition, here are some of the key costs to launching a bookstore:

• Building Out Your Retail Space – Customizing your bookstore could be very expensive in terms of costs for designers and contractors, although sometimes landlords will bear this expense if you sign a long-term lease.
• Rent – Whether you plan on being in a mall or going into a stand-alone store, rent is always one of the primary expenses every time you start a new business.
• Inventory – First and foremost, your customers want products–and lots of them. Before you think about hiring employees and paying for other services, inventory must be paid for by the owner. This means purchasing all of your books at once (which can get pricey) or establishing plans to create your own inventory.
• Employees – You can’t run a business all by yourself, so hiring employees is one of the most essential costs to starting up your bookstore. This includes full-time, part-time and even seasonal employees that you need for each season (such as summer camps or winter skiing trips).
• Marketing – How do you get people into your door? Ads in magazines, posters around town and apps on tablets are just some of the methods used by bookstore owners today to attract customers. There are also services like BookBub which send potential buyers emails every day about recent books they might enjoy.
• Technology – Bookstore ownership doesn’t mean flipping through pages anymore; it requires using computer software programs like Intuit’s QuickBooks in order to track costs, inventory and employee hours. This is a key tool for any bookstore owner that requires an upfront purchase of about $200 before you even launch your business.
• Events – One of the most exciting parts of owning a bookstore is hosting events with local authors. This usually brings in customers but also means more expenses for potential food, travel and hotel stays when bringing people in from out of town for big releases.
• Licensing Fees – Every state has different rules when it comes to opening up new business licenses or permits. You might need to get zoning approval, agree to certain conditions (such as only using designated parking spaces) or provide employment history for all staff members.
• Security – A bookstore is a place for books, not fistfights! Protecting the inventory and staff from theft or violence should be your number one priority when opening any business today. This means paying upfront licensing fees for security systems (such as safes) in addition to ongoing costs associated with maintaining them (such as regular updates).

The above list provides just some of the key costs to opening a bookstore. When creating your own list, be sure to include other factors such as:

• an Internet presence (such as a website and social media accounts)
• shipping costs for Internet orders
• advertising in magazines, newspapers and other media outlets
• promotions such as contests or giveaways for new customers.

These are just a few examples of the key costs, so using it as a starting point will give you a better idea of what you should do now and what might be able to wait until you are more established.

Yes, owning a bookstore can be profitable if you have a business plan and some capital up front to launch your bookstore. To improve the success and profitability of your bookstore, here are some factors you should consider:

• Location – finding the right spot for your bookstore is just as important as selecting good inventory. Bookstores need to be in busy areas so customers can easily stop by and one of the best ways to do this is by leasing space in malls or strip malls near other popular stores.
• Inventory – this is one of the most important factors in the success of any bookstore, large or small. Always carry what your customers want and you won’t go wrong.
• Customer Service – another essential factor to the success of any bookstore is great customer service. This means hiring experienced employees who have a passion for books and enjoy talking about them with potential buyers.
• Staff – select your employees carefully because they are one of the most important factors in the success of your bookstore business. Hire people who are passionate about books and enjoy talking to potential buyers.
• Marketing – last but not least, marketing is essential for the success of any business, including bookstores. Make sure you advertise your bookstore in magazines and newspapers as well as through digital efforts.

How to Finish Your Bookstore Business Plan in 1 Day!

Don’t you wish there was a faster, easier way to finish your bookstore business plan?

With Growthink’s Ultimate Bookstore Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

OR, Let Us Develop Your Plan For You

Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.

Click here to see how Growthink’s business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.  

What Makes a Successful Bookstore?

If you've ever walked into a bookstore and thought about how nice it would be to pack up, head off on a road trip and see the country selling books in roadside shops you're not alone. Many people dream of opening their bookstore but how do you know if yours will be successful?

• Retail location is key . Don't rely on online sales or they'll cut into your profits significantly.
• Establish an online presence including social media platforms . Many independent bookstores are doing well by hosting events like author signings and meet-and-greets that bring in droves of new customers.

If done right, bookstores can be incredibly lucrative even if they don't stay afloat for years at a time. Just look at what Amazon did when it started out; this retail giant is thriving although they sold very few products at the beginning.

What are the Risk Factors Associated with Starting a Bookstore?

There are many risk factors that go into starting a business, but here are some of the most common ones when it comes to opening up your bookstore:

• Not having the right amount of startup capital to get started
• Being unable to get books at wholesale prices
• Having large amounts of debt you're not able to pay back

As we mentioned above, there's also one other risk factor and that's how well your type of book will sell in your specific target market. It doesn't matter how cheap you are able to buy them, if there is no demand for books about knitting in your area, you'll most likely have a difficult time staying afloat. This risk factor is something that isn't easy to estimate either so it's often best to simply do your research beforehand and keep this potential pitfall in mind whenever making any decisions about the business.

What Other Factors Should Be Considered When Starting a Bookstore?

There are many different factors involved with starting any type of retail business, however it's important to consider some more than others depending on the type of store you're trying to open.

There are many different things that need to be taken into account when starting any sort of business, however the biggest concern for most independent booksellers is what kind of inventory they'll have in stock. You can either purchase used or new books depending on your target market, though it's important to weigh the pros and cons of both before making a final decision. If possible, try to aim for a mixture instead since both options can appeal to different customers and will keep them coming back again and again.

Physical Location

Another thing that should be considered is where your bookstore will be located—you'll need to make sure it has good visibility from the street so people know where it is and how easy it is to access. If people can't find it or they know it's hidden, then your business is going to struggle from the beginning due to lack of funds and poor word-of-mouth advertising. Once you've decided on a retail location, you'll need to do some research in order to make sure there aren't any similar local businesses that might take away from your profits.

Pricing Strategy

Another factor that plays a role when starting any bookstore is how much everything will cost—some bookstore genres sell for more than others while some have a higher demand than others. You'll want to be careful when figuring out what types of books you're going to sell, however since not every potential customer likes reading the same things. 

Hire Employees

Lastly, it's crucial to consider how many employees you're going to need when starting this type of business. This might seem like something that can just be figured out later on, but the truth is that most retail businesses struggle due to lack of staff members—if everyone who works there is overloaded with too much work and not enough time, they'll become stressed and potential customers may not enjoy their experience. Finding an efficient way to organize these workers so things run smoothly will help increase profits in the long term.

With all of this in mind, you should now have a better idea about how to start a bookstore. These are just some factors you should think about before you get started, and they're not the only ones to be considered either—there are many different things that go into starting a business, however these are some of the most important.

How Can You Compete with Other Bookshops?

If you want to start your own bookstore, whether it's physical or online you'll need to be able to compete with bigger companies who have many different ways to bring in customers. The best way to do this is by offering something unique or otherwise special that helps you stand out from the rest of the pack.

What’s your competitive advantage? What makes your bookstore unique? When starting your own bookstore, you need to figure out how to make it unique to help it remain successful. Here are some ideas:

• Being Part of a Community : If you can become part of the local community it will be easier for people to remember your bookstore and come back again since they'll have a sense of pride for supporting their community members.
• Offering Unique Products : You don't necessarily have to sell books that are used if there are already quite a few independent bookstores doing that already, but you should consider what makes your bookstore unique compared to all the others in your area.
• Classes, Book Clubs & Workshops : People love coming together with like minded individuals so offering classes related to literature will help you build a community and will likely help you earn more money.
• Having a Unique Layout : If your bookstore has an interesting layout it might be easier for people to remember how fun it was the last time they were there. This can be achieved in countless ways so consider what would work best for your store before getting started.
• Customer Service : Along with selling unique items you should also focus on offering great customer service—people will want to come back if they feel like their concerns are being heard and any issues they might have can be easily solved.

The bottom line is that you'll need to find a way to separate yourself from the other bookstores in your area so customers stick with you, rather than going elsewhere. If there's already a bookstore nearby however it's likely that this won't be as easy as it could be otherwise, and it may take some time before people start to notice and appreciate what you're doing differently.

What Are Your Competitors Doing?

No matter how unique your bookstore is, you'll need to consider what the other bookstores in your area are doing so you can figure out a way to make yourself more successful. If there aren't a large number of bookstores close by however, it may be better to simply try and become as successful as possible without worrying too much about similar stores since they likely won't be applying too much pressure either.

Here are some things you'll want to pay attention to:

• The Way They Display Their Products : This is often one of the most important parts of any store so you'll want to put lots of time into making sure your displays look extremely attractive—this will encourage people to buy something.
• Customer Reviews : Read through all of the customer reviews you can find so you have a better idea about what your customers want and expect from a bookstore. You can then alter your bookstore to meet their needs.
• Their Pricing : In order to keep up with the stores around you, take a look at how they price their products—this will help you figure out which types of books are popular in your area and also whether or not people want to buy used books (which aren't as expensive).
• What They're Recommending : If there's one thing that bookstores like doing it's recommending books based on previous purchases/what's popular at the moment—if other stores in your area do this too, try finding similar ways to increase your book sales.
• How They Handle Returns : If customers are concerned about whether or not they can return certain books then this will likely cause them to avoid buying anything at all—take a look through customer reviews to see if people are mentioning anything negative about the way your bookstore handles returns.
• How They Handle Delays/Holds : It's important that customers know exactly when their items will arrive so be sure everything is clearly labeled and easy to find. Also let customers know what you do with holds (if you offer this service) so they feel like their requests aren't being ignored.
• Whether or Not They Have Offer Online Ordering : This is becoming more and more common with most bookstores, so if yours doesn't have this feature it might be worth looking into adding it.
• What They're Selling : Besides books, does your bookstore offer any other products or services? Be sure to take a look and determine whether the extra items could bring customers back more often—even if they don't buy anything.

American Booksellers Association

Factors for Success in the Bookselling Industry  

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Bookstore Business Plan Template

Business Plan Outline

• Bookstore Business Plan Home
• 1. Executive Summary
• 2. Company Overview
• 3. Industry Analysis
• 4. Customer Analysis
• 5. Competitive Analysis
• 6. Marketing Plan
• 7. Operations Plan
• 8. Management Team
• 9. Financial Plan

Start Your Bookstore Plan Here

Bookstore Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your own bookstore business plan.

We have helped over 100,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their bookstores.

To write a successful bookstore business plan you will first need to decide what type of bookstore business you want to open. Will you be a specialty bookstore, a children’s bookstore or a religious bookstore?

You will need to gather information about your bookstore business and the bookstore industry. This type of information includes data about customer demographics, a marketing plan, and a financial plan (full financial projections including income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement).

Sample Bookstore Business Plan

The following bookstore business plan template gives you the key elements to include in a winning bookstore business plan:

• Executive Summary
• Company Overview
• Industry Analysis
• Customer Analysis
• Competitive Analysis
• Marketing Plan
• Operations Plan
• Management Team
• Financial Plan

Next Section: Executive Summary >

Bookstore Business Plan FAQs

What is a bookstore business plan.

A bookstore business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your bookstore business. Among other things, a bookstore business plan outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your bookstore business plan using our Bookstore Business Plan Template here .

What Are the Main Types of Bookstores?

There are many types of bookstores to consider when writing your bookstore business plan . Many stores are independently owned and carry a variety of new books from many different publishers. Independent bookstores are able to dictate which authors and genres they want to sell in their store. Other retail bookstores are large national retail stores that have a wide selection of books and accessories. There are also bookstores that focus exclusively on used books to sell. They accept donations of used books and sell them at a discount price.

What Are the Main Sources of Revenue and Expenses for a Bookstore Business?

The primary source of revenue for bookstores is the products sold at the store.

The key expenses for a bookstore business are the cost of purchasing the product inventory. Other expenses are the overhead costs for employees, rent, utilities, and any marketing for the store.

How to Open a Bookstore Business?

To start a bookstore business, you will need to do the following:

• Establish a bookstore business plan and track your progress. This will help you stay organized and on task.
• Secure funding. This can be done through investors, a small business loan, or personal savings/equity.
• Choose a location. This should be based on your target customer, what's available in the area, and your budget.
• Stock your shelves with books. You can order them from distributors or buy them used from other bookstores.
• Market your business. Use social media, print advertising, and word-of-mouth to get the word out about your store.

Learn more about how to open a bookstore business:

• How to Open a Bookstore Business

How Do You Get Funding for Your Bookstore Business Plan?

Bookstore businesses, along with other businesses in the bookstore industry, are most likely to receive funding from banks. Typically you will find a local bank and present your bookstore business plan to them. Another option for a bookstore is to obtain a small business loan. Outside investors, crowdfunding, and/or friends or family are other typical funding options.

This is true for a business plan for an independent bookstore business plan and an online bookstore business plan.

How to Open a Bookstore & Cafe

• Small Business
• Finances & Taxes
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Pinterest" aria-label="Share on Pinterest">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Reddit" aria-label="Share on Reddit">
• ')" data-event="social share" data-info="Flipboard" aria-label="Share on Flipboard">

Marketing Ideas Between Coffee and Bookstores

How to start a tea room shop, how to start a bookstore business.

• Tools for Used Bookstore Owners
• Plans to Start Up a Bookstore Business

A bookstore and cafe gives bookworms the opportunity to purchase their favorite titles, discover new books, and enjoy a beverage or snack while they find books they like. Opening a bookstore and cafe is a massive undertaking that requires a lot of planning. From calculating your budget to deciding which types of drinks to sell, each decision will determine your store’s success. While books serve as the main attraction, a cafe helps add a layer of customer service by offering customers convenience while they shop.

Before opening a bookstore and cafe, make sure obtain the required permits and licenses by contacting your county clerk or state treasurer for the paperwork.

Planning a Budget for Opening a Bookstore

Before opening a bookstore, it is important to create a budget that covers each expense you will incur, from salary to rent, according to Start My Coffeeshop . You store can focus on a niche, such as crime and mystery, or go for a broader range of genres. Used books typically generate more profit because you’re paying little to no money for them, but selling both new and used books provides you with the best opportunities. How well stocked your shelves are depends on what you can afford from wholesale book distributors, but do not spend your entire budget on stock as you'll need it for the cafe, store decor and other fixed expenses, such as utilities and rent.

A bookstore and cafe will likely take up a large amount of space. Therefore, renting a building is likely more cost-effective than purchasing a lot and constructing your own space. Don’t just focus on the building itself -- consider what surrounds it. If your store is in a little-known part of town, you’ll have more difficulty attracting customers than if you rent a building that’s near a large shopping center or an area with several storefronts and plenty of foot traffic.

Bookstore Organization Before Opening

After finding the building you want, you'll not only have to stock the store, but you'll have to create the menu for your cafe. Decide whether you want to offer and determine the amount of space you want to dedicate to it, and at he very least, offer three to four tables with chairs. Couches and chairs are commonplace in most bookstores as they allow your customers to relax and read books they’re interested in. Ensuring the the space is properly lit keeps customers from having difficulty reading and additional decor can also help set the mood.

Advertisements will tell people your store exists and gives them a reason to check out your selection of books. When creating an ad for radio, the Internet, print or T.V, consider offering a percentage off each purchase for customers who mention it. Opening a merchant account with a bank if you plan to accept credit cards is an essential task as only accepting cash will limit sales. A merchant account allows you to accept debit cards and credit cards.

• Start My Coffeeshop: How to Start a Coffee Shop Bookstore
• American Booksellers Association; Coffee Talk: Booksellers on the Pros and Cons of Bookstore Cafés
• Before you open your store and cafe, obtain the required permits and licenses. Contact your county clerk or state treasurer for the paperwork.
• Create a website for your store and cafe to serve as an additional marketing tool.
• Consider purchasing used equipment for your cafe to cut down on costs.

Related Articles

Realistic budget for opening a party supply store, about bookstore layouts, ideas for bookstore inventory, the money needed to start up a small catholic bookstore, how to start a bookstore & bakery, how to open a coffee shop and the estimated annual revenue, how to calculate inventory to open a retail store, how to start a craft store business, how to start a sports store, most popular.

• 1 Realistic Budget for Opening a Party Supply Store
• 2 About Bookstore Layouts
• 3 Ideas for Bookstore Inventory
• 4 The Money Needed to Start up a Small Catholic Bookstore

404 Not found

404 Not found

Bookstore Cafe Business Plan

$59.00 $39.00 3 reviews

Instant Download, Editable on MAC & PC

Resources On Bookstore Cafe

• Financial Model
• Value Proposition
• One-Page Business Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Business Model
• Description

Executive Summary

Products & services, market analysis, marketing plan.

• Management Plan
• Financial Plan

The main problem that "Read & Sip" aims to solve is the lack of cozy and comfortable spaces for book lovers to browse and read books while enjoying high-quality coffee and tea beverages, pastries, and light snacks. Many bookstores in the US have closed down due to increasing competition from online book retailers, and traditional coffee shops often lack the charm and ambiance that book lovers crave.

Additionally, there is a growing need for community events and engaging activities that promote reading and literary culture. Many book lovers are looking for opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and expand their knowledge and interests.

Through a hybrid retail-coffee shop model, "Read & Sip" aims to fill this gap in the market by providing a unique experience that appeals to book lovers, coffee and tea drinkers, students, professionals, and the local community in Los Angeles. The company's value proposition of a cozy atmosphere for browsing and reading books, paired with high-quality coffee and tea beverages, pastries, snacks, and community events, will set it apart from other bookstores and coffee shops in the region.

"Read & Sip" offers a unique solution for book lovers, coffee and tea drinkers, students, professionals, and the local community in Los Angeles. Our hybrid retail-coffee shop provides a cozy atmosphere for customers to browse and read books while enjoying delicious beverages and snacks. With a selection of new and used books, coffee and tea beverages, pastries, and light snacks, we offer a one-stop-shop for those who crave for quality products that are sourced from local roasters and suppliers. Additionally, we host author readings, book clubs, and other events to further engage the community and foster a love for literature and culture. Our personalized customer service, loyalty programs, and online presence through social media and email marketing add value to our product and keep customers coming back for more. At "Read & Sip", we strive to offer a unique experience that solves the problem of finding a welcoming and engaging space where one can indulge in reading, sipping, and socializing.

Target Market

Competition.

The bookstore cafe business in the US is a highly competitive industry, with both established chains and independent startups vying for market share. Some of the main competitors for "Read & Sip" will be Barnes & Noble, Starbucks, and local independent bookshops and coffee shops. Barnes & Noble is a nationwide chain that offers a wide range of books, music, and gifts, as well as a cafe serving Starbucks coffee and pastries. Starbucks, on the other hand, is a global coffee chain that has expanded its menu to include sandwiches, salads, and bakery items, as well as offering free Wi-Fi and cozy seating. Independent bookstores and cafes, meanwhile, provide a unique and often personalized experience, with a curated selection of books and homemade food and drinks.

To differentiate itself from the competition, "Read & Sip" will focus on its curated selection of new and used books, cozy atmosphere, and community engagement through events and workshops. The company will also partner with local roasters and suppliers to offer high-quality coffee and tea, pastries, and light snacks. The pricing for products will be competitive but will depend on the target market and location of the store.

Financial Summary

The financial plan for "Read & Sip" covers startup costs, sales projections, and projected profits for the first year of operation. Key highlights of the financial plan include:

• The startup costs for "Read & Sip" is estimated to be $500,000.
• The major cost categories are inventory, rent, utilities, salaries, equipment maintenance, marketing and advertising expenses.
• The sales projection for the first year is estimated to be $750,000, with a growth rate of 10% in the second year.
• The company aims to achieve a net profit margin of 15% by the end of the first year of operation.
• The financial plan assumes a customer base of book lovers, coffee and tea drinkers, students, professionals, and the local community in Los Angeles.

Funding Requirements

The total amount of funding required to launch "Read & Sip" is $500,000. The funds will be needed to cover the following expenses:

• Startup costs
• Initial inventory purchase
• Marketing and advertising expenses
• Equipment purchase and maintenance
• Salaries for employees

Our plan is to obtain funding through a combination of personal savings, loans, and investors who share our vision for the unique experience we aim to provide to book lovers, coffee and tea drinkers, students, professionals, and the local community in Los Angeles.

Milestones and Traction

As a startup, "Read & Sip" will have several milestones to hit before it becomes a profitable and sustainable business. Below is a roadmap of our planned milestones and where we currently stand:

Our focus in the next few months will be on obtaining funding and securing a prime location that will help us achieve our revenue goals. Once we have the funding and the location, we can move forward with building out the store, hiring employees, and ordering inventory. Our ultimate goal is to create a successful and sustainable business that brings joy and value to our customers and the local community.

Problem Worth Solving

The problem that "Read & Sip" intends to solve is the lack of a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for book lovers to browse and read books while enjoying quality coffee and tea beverages, pastries, and light snacks in Los Angeles. Current bookstores in the city do not offer a coffee and snack experience that is up to par with other cities and do not have a comfortable seating area where customers can read and relax. Similarly, coffee shops do not offer an ample selection of books to browse through, making it challenging for book lovers to find a comfortable spot to read while enjoying their drink.

Additionally, there is a significant demand for community engagement and events that cater to book lovers in Los Angeles. Currently, there are no bookstores in the city that offer events, workshops, and book clubs to create a sense of community among book lovers. Therefore, "Read & Sip" aims to fill in the gap by providing a space where book lovers can connect with each other while enjoying quality coffee and pastries in a comfortable setting.

Our Solution

Validation of problem and solution, product overview.

"Read & Sip" offers a unique experience to book lovers and coffee enthusiasts by combining a bookstore with a cafe. We provide a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for customers to browse and read books while enjoying delicious coffee and tea beverages, pastries, and light snacks. Our bookstore offers a wide selection of both new and used books, catering to the diverse interests of our customers. Our coffee and tea beverages are brewed fresh, using high-quality beans and leaves sourced from local roasters and suppliers. Our pastries and snacks are made from fresh and wholesome ingredients, ensuring both taste and nutrition. By offering a fantastic selection of books and high-quality beverages and snacks, "Read & Sip" caters to the needs of book lovers, coffee and tea drinkers, students, professionals, and the local community. Our product is designed to provide an inviting and comfortable experience to our customers, encouraging them to stay longer and come back frequently. Overall, our product benefits our customers by providing a one-of-a-kind experience, promoting reading, and offering high-quality coffee and tea beverages and snacks to enhance their visit."

There are several bookstores and cafes in the Los Angeles area, including Barnes & Noble, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and independent coffee shops. However, "Read & Sip" aims to differentiate itself by offering a unique experience that combines the best of both worlds. Unlike large chain bookstores, "Read & Sip" will have a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that caters to book lovers who enjoy a comfortable and quiet space to browse and read. Additionally, the coffee and tea beverages, pastries, and light snacks offered will be of high quality and carefully selected to complement the books' themes and genres.

The company will also host regular events and workshops that engage the local community, such as author readings and book clubs. This will create a sense of community and build loyalty among customers, setting "Read & Sip" apart from other bookstores and cafes in the area. Overall, "Read & Sip" aims to create a unique and comprehensive experience that caters to the needs and preferences of book lovers and coffee drinkers alike.

Roadmap: Products & Services

Here is a step-by-step roadmap of our progress so far and the upcoming steps we plan to take in establishing and growing our business:

Market Segmentation

The following table presents potential groups of customers for the Bookstore Cafe business plan:

The potential market is significant as the business can cater to a diverse range of customers drawn to the unique experience of the Bookstore Cafe.

Target Market Segment Strategy

Our ideal customers are book lovers and coffee and tea drinkers who are looking for a cozy and comfortable atmosphere to read, browse, and socialize. They include students, professionals, and members of the local community who value quality, variety, and affordability. Our bookstore cafe caters to both the book enthusiast and the coffee and tea aficionado, providing a unique and satisfying experience for each. We will focus our marketing efforts on targeting these specific segments through social media, local events, and loyalty programs.

Key Customers

Future markets.

The potential market for the Bookstore Cafe Business Plan is diverse, including book lovers, coffee and tea drinkers, students, professionals, and the local community. As the community engagement and personalized customer service will be the driving forces of the business, word-of-mouth marketing and repeat customers will be key to maintaining a loyal customer base. In the future, the business could expand to nearby locations and offer online ordering and delivery options to increase accessibility and reach a wider audience. Additionally, the business could explore partnerships with local schools and universities to attract student customers and offer educational workshops and events. By staying adaptable and innovative, the Bookstore Cafe has the potential to capture and grow its market share while maintaining a unique and engaging customer experience.

Here is a table of potential competitors in the bookstore cafe industry:

Our bookstore cafe will differentiate itself by offering a curated selection of books and a cozy atmosphere for customers to browse and read. Our pricing will be competitive, with affordable options for students and budget-conscious consumers, while also offering higher-end products for those looking for specialty items.

Marketing and Sales Plan

Our marketing and advertising strategy will focus on building strong relationships with our local community, while also reaching a wider audience through targeted online and social media campaigns. Our goals include increasing foot traffic to the store, building brand awareness, and driving sales of both books and cafe products.

Advertising Channels:

• Local newspapers and magazines
• Radio and television ads
• Social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
• Online directories and review sites (Yelp, Google My Business)
• Email marketing campaigns
• Local newspapers and magazines - $500/month
• Radio and television ads - $1000/month
• Social media - $300/month
• Online directories and review sites - $100/month
• Email marketing campaigns - $200/month
• Increase foot traffic to the store by 15% in the first year
• Generate $10,000 in online sales within the first six months
• Build a social media following of 1000 users within the first year
• Host at least two successful events per month

Location and Facilities

At Read & Sip, we believe in utilizing technology to enhance our customers' experience and streamline our operations. Our point-of-sale system will make transactions quick and efficient, allowing our employees to spend more time interacting with our customers. We will also implement a customer loyalty program that will track purchase history and offer rewards based on their spending habits. Additionally, we plan to integrate an online bookstore feature into our website, allowing customers to browse and purchase books from the comfort of their own homes. By utilizing technology, we hope to improve our sales and customer retention while also staying ahead of our competition.

Equipment and Tools

For our bookstore cafe, we will need a variety of equipment and tools to ensure smooth operations. The following is an outline of the required items and their associated costs:

These costs will be included in our start-up expenses and will be amortized over time to ensure that we can continue to invest in the business and keep our equipment up to date. We will also explore opportunities to lease or rent equipment as needed to minimize our upfront costs and ongoing expenses.

Management and Organization

Organizational structure.

Our organizational structure is designed to ensure efficient communication and smooth operations. We have the following roles and responsibilities:

The flow of information between levels of the organization is facilitated through regular meetings and updates, as well as a digital communication system.

Management Team

As the founder and owner of the Bookstore Cafe, I will be overseeing the overall management of the business. However, I plan to build a strong and dedicated team to ensure the smooth running of the day-to-day operations.

At this stage, potential candidates for high-level management positions have not yet been identified. However, we will be actively seeking experienced and passionate individuals with a background in business, hospitality, or retail to fill these roles. The ideal candidates should share our values and vision for creating a vibrant and welcoming community hub that fosters a love for books, coffee, and conversation.

We believe in creating a positive and supportive work environment that inspires our employees to deliver exceptional customer service and work collaboratively towards our shared goals. We will invest in the training and development of our team to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to succeed in their roles and grow within the company.

Management team gaps

At this time, we do not have candidates ready to fill the roles of event organizers and marketing and advertising specialists. We will be seeking out experienced professionals in these areas in order to support our business growth and engagement with the local community.

Personnel Plan

The following table outlines the potential positions that we expect to require in order to run our Bookstore Cafe business effectively:

We plan to hire individuals who are passionate about books, coffee, and community-building, and who possess the necessary skills and experience to excel in their respective roles. We anticipate starting with a small team of dedicated professionals and expanding as the business grows.

Company History and Ownership

"Read & Sip" is a startup bookstore cafe founded by a team of experienced entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry. Having noticed a gap in the market for a hybrid retail-coffee shop catering to book lovers in Los Angeles, the team decided to leverage their expertise to create a unique experience for customers.

The company is privately owned, with the founding team holding equal equity shares. The team includes a CEO, a COO, a CMO, a CFO, and a Head of Operations. Each member brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective areas, and they are all committed to making "Read & Sip" a success.

As part of the business planning process, the team has conducted extensive market research, identified potential suppliers and partners, and secured funding to cover the startup costs. They believe that their collective expertise and passion for the project will enable them to make "Read & Sip" a thriving business in the years to come.

As the management team of "Read & Sip", we understand the importance of setting specific and achievable goals for our business. We have developed a detailed roadmap in a HTML table format with specific goals and objectives that will help us manage and steer our business towards success.

Key Metrics

As a business owner, it is crucial to measure the overall performance and health of your Bookstore Cafe business. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) can help you achieve this goal. Some essential KPIs to consider include the number of book sales, average revenue per customer, customer satisfaction ratings, foot traffic, and social media engagement. These KPIs will enable you to assess the effectiveness of your marketing and sales strategies, customer service, and operations. Regularly reviewing these metrics will help you identify areas that need improvement and make data-driven decisions to grow your business.

Financial Plan and Metrics

Sales forecast.

Below is a projected sales forecast for "Read & Sip" for the first three years of operation (2023, 2024, 2025) broken down by product categories:

Note: The above sales forecast is based on market research and projections for the Los Angeles area and may vary depending on actual market conditions.

The following tables outline the expected or incurred costs necessary to start and operate our bookstore cafe business:

Startup Costs

Operational expenses.

Note: These expenses are estimates and subject to change based on actual costs incurred during the startup and operational phases of the business.

Projected Profit and Loss

In our business plan, we project a steady growth in revenue over the next three years. We estimate that "Read & Sip" will generate $500,000 in its first year (2023), $750,000 in its second year (2024), and $1 million in its third year (2025).

The cost structure includes inventory, rent, utilities, salaries, equipment maintenance, and marketing and advertising expenses. We estimate that COGS will be 35% of revenue, resulting in a gross margin of 65%. We project that the company will break even in its first year and generate a profit of $87,500 in its second year, and $200,000 in its third year, resulting in a profit margin of 12% and 20%, respectively.

Projected Cash Flow Statement

Build a projected cash flow statement for three years (2023, 2024, 2025) in a form of HTML table, where the very first column name is Cash Flow Categories for: Inflow, Outflow, Net Cash Flow and Cumulative Net Cash Flow, and other columns are for the years.

The projected cash flow statement for "Read & Sip" shows a steady growth in inflow as the business expands over the next three years. The outflow includes startup costs, inventory, rent, salaries, equipment maintenance, and marketing expenses. The net cash flow for the first year of operation is $250,000, which remains consistent for the second year as well. However, there is an increase of $125,000 in the net cash flow by the end of the third year.

Projected Balance Sheet

This balance sheet shows our projected financial position for the next three years. We anticipate an increase in assets due to strong sales growth, while liabilities will decrease as our business matures. Our steady increase in equity will allow us to reinvest in the business and continue to expand our offerings and services.

The Bookstore Cafe business will require a team of dedicated and skilled employees to manage the retail, cafe, and events operations. We plan to hire experienced baristas, pastry chefs, and retail assistants who share our passion for books and coffee. Additionally, we will seek out event coordinators and marketing professionals who can help us expand our reach within the local community.

In terms of compensation, we aim to provide competitive wages and benefits to attract top talent. Our employees will also have opportunities for professional growth and development as they gain experience and build skills within the industry. As the business grows, we may consider offering profit-sharing or other incentives to reward outstanding performance and loyalty.

Our employees will play a vital role in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for customers, as well as helping to drive sales and customer loyalty. We plan to incorporate employee feedback and suggestions into our operations, and provide ongoing training and support to ensure high levels of job satisfaction and job performance.

Use of Funds

The following table shows how the funds will be used:

The remaining funds will be reserved as a contingency fund for any unexpected expenses that may arise during the first year of business.

Exit Strategy

Our intention is to build a successful and sustainable bookstore cafe business that will continue to grow and thrive in the long-term. However, we understand that circumstances may change and we may need to exit the business at some point. Our preferred exit strategy would be to seek acquisition by a larger company or chain that values our brand, reputation, and customer base. Alternatively, we may consider selling the business to an interested party or passing it along to a family member or trusted employee who shares our vision and values. Regardless of the exit strategy, we will ensure a smooth transition for our employees, customers, and partners.

$199.00 $119.00 Get Bundle

Customer Reviews

Frequently asked questions.

• Current item: Bookstore Cafe Business Plan $59.00 $39.00
• Financial Projection Model, Financial Model, Financial Modeling For Startups, Startup Financial Analysis $49.00 $29.00

Sample Bookstore Business Plan Template

Do you need help starting a bookshop? If YES, here is a sample bookstore business plan template.

A lot of people are hindered by their inability to put together a clear plan for their business.

We have provided a bookstore business plan sample for you to work with. It is intended to provide you with a working template as well as a general structure of how your plan should look like.

You should know that a lot of work is required to increase your chances of success in your chosen path. How so?

In this post, I intend to show you how you can turn your love for books into a lucrative business that will continue to make money for you for a lifetime.

BOOKSTORE BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE

Starting a bookstore allows you to educate yourself with the books you will be buying and still put those books for sale after consuming them.

LIST: Book Club Names

It is a wise decision to look at it from a business side.

Because you don’t only get to buy the books and read, but sell them at a higher price than you bought them. You gain knowledge from the book and profit from selling them too.

Here is a sample business plan for starting a bookstore cafe.

These six steps will guide you into starting a bookshop in your city or community and ensure success in the business.

• Conduct Your Research

Business-wise, the entrepreneur should research the business idea before venturing into any business.

Talk to other bookstore business owners and study the retail market in your city or community, specifically booksellers or publishers, for pricing information.

Know the type of books to sell by focusing on niche books such as business, personal finance, motivational, relationship, or genres, and also, decide whether you wish to sell used books, new books, or both.

After conducting your research, use the information you have gathered to structure and decide on how best it will be.

• Have a Good Business Plan

Having a business plan is a must for opening a bookstore cafe . A business plan is like a road map guiding how you intend to run your business.

A business plan is a proposal stating your goals and why you think those goals are achievable.

Aside from that, if you need finance to start your bookstore outfit, the possibility of investors or financial institutions granting you the loan will depend on you putting together a solid business plan for them.

A good business plan must have an executive summary which is just an overview of the proposed business and should be just one page. It should also highlight a solid marketing and operational plan.

Your target market should be stated, and other essential notes like the cost of operation, the number of employees, etc.

• Find the Best Location for your Store

A suitable location is one factor that determines the success of any business. Finding a rental space is significant for running a successful bookstore.

Look for a large store with plenty of windows and ample shelving space, ensuring your customer can comfortably walk into your store and have room to move around without obstruction.

Please don’t focus on the building itself. Make sure you locate your bookstore investment in a busy area such as a business or shopping district.

• Obtaining Finance

It is not compulsory that you must start a bookstore center with your capital.

If you love to start a bookstore but don’t have the capital, your business plan also becomes helpful in getting a loan from investors and financial institutions.

Conclude on the capital needed to start the business and plan how to get the money. Also, remember that you must invest in the company; it shows you will not default on your loan.

Create a budget that will cover each expense you incur from salary to rent and purchase the books.

• Stock your Bookstore

After all, is set and down, it is now left for you to start ordering books from suppliers or publishers or distributors and start shelving them.

Be sure to include books that will be welcoming to a broad audience; if you are running a used bookstore, look for deals on book collections online, contact local libraries wanting to get rid of old books, and show interest in buying them.

• Advertise your Bookstore

If you don’t advertise your business, nobody will know if it exists and why they should patronize your bookshop. Take advantage of social media to spread the word about your bookstore.

You must make sure your surrounding community knows about your bookstore, then consider using fliers to get college students at the local campus near you interested in visiting your bookstore.

It can be challenging to start a business and compete with more giant retailers, but following these steps will teach you how to create a successful bookstore.

BOOKSTORE BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

To plan adequately, you must try to discover details about this business. This knowledge will be of tremendous help in producing a quality plan.

• Executive Summary

Leaders Book Store is a new bookstore located in Atlanta’s inner cities. We are a business that will be directly involved in encouraging a reading culture among vulnerable groups in society.

This consists mainly of teenage schoolgirls and kids. We will be working with county officials to promote the advantages of reading.

Over the last two years, there has been an awakening among Atlanta’s Latino and African American communities.

The demands for library services have grown, but there has been no corresponding response to these demands.

Available libraries are underfunded and lack new books. We have seen this as an opportunity to establish a bookstore.

Our books will include educational materials, magazines, novels, textbooks, and newspapers. Others include writing materials, stationery , and Christian and business literature.

• Vision Statement

At Leaders Book Store, we will offer a great selection of retail sales of books and other reading materials. We have a business model in place that will soon drive our expansion across different locations within the city.

• Mission Statement

Our mission is to help the young and vulnerable access quality literature that will change their lives and make them more valuable to their community.

We seek an improvement in the reduction of crime and prostitution. This will improve the successes achieved due to increased book demand over the last two years.

Leaders Book Store is a sole proprietorship. The founder Sue Mathews will raise the needed amount for this start-up through savings. So far, she has set aside the sum of $200,000.00.

This will be spent renting a suitable location for our store and purchasing books from major suppliers.

• SWOT Analysis

We see this project as a test run. The successes will be replicated all across Georgia.

Identifying opportunities and threats allow us to fully utilize these opportunities and reduce our risk exposure to such hazards. Our SWOT analysis shows the following;

We have chosen an area where bookstore services are poor. Many bookstores prefer to pass on this opportunity.

However, we have identified a massive potential in this market. The growing interest in reading has birthed a demand for reading materials which we will be made available.

This demand is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. We are strategically positioned to consolidate our position within this time.

The size of our bookstore business is small. This will limit our reach. Because we have not yet established a hold on this market, a financially strong competitor that comes in will take immediate control of this market.

• Opportunity

The rising demand for books within this area makes it a strategic opportunity we will not let slip by.

We have identified this opportunity and are determined to fully exploit it by fulfilling these demands with quality reading material.

A new and formidable competitor will likely take away business from us.

Another more severe threat is in the form of an economic recession. Under such circumstances, our business will have a total breakdown as both supply and demand will dry up.

• Sales Projection

We have drafted a sales projection covering three years with the opportunity available. It shows a steady climb in sales. This is good news for us and will mean increased profits within this period.

A summary of this projection is shown below;

• First Financial Year $150,000.00
• Second Financial Year $250,000.00
• Third Financial Year $550,000.00
• Target Market

Although our primary targets consist of teenage girls, who are the most vulnerable, we will also target other customer categories. These include spinsters and bachelors, schools within the area and students, business people, and sportsmen and women.

• Competitive Advantage

Our location gives us greater control of the market. There are few bookstores around this area.

Many bookstore businesses have not yet caught on to the impending boom in book sales. We are using this opportunity to establish our brand. This will allow us to compete favorably with bigger bookstores in the future.

In addition to these, we are centrally located and easily accessible from all parts of the city. We agreed with significant suppliers that books would be available at attractive profit margins.

This allows us to have competitive prices and still achieve profitability.

• Marketing Strategy

We are adopting effective marketing strategies to promote our new bookstore business.

This will include the distribution of fliers and also the use of word of mouth. These are immediate strategies we will be using. We will adopt more as the need arises.

If you have read through this bookstore business plan sample , you will have better understood how it should be written. Using the correct information for your business, you cautiously approach this aspect.

A hastily written business plan will likely fail. Careful consideration of your business’s goals should influence your actions.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 Cafés in Moscow That Are Perfect for Book Lovers

Culture Trip has already told you about Moscow ’s best coffee places and loveliest bookstores . Now we’ve put together a list of cafés where you can satisfy your passions for delicious coffee and a good read.

View all trips, kvartira 44.

Cafe, Restaurant, Bar, Coffee, Russian

This restaurant’s name translates to ‘apartment 44’, and it is, indeed, styled like an old-school apartment of Moscow Intelligentsia. Complete with homely lamp shades, shabby bookshelves and an antique piano, Kvartira 44 offers satisfying meals, live piano music after 9 pm and a one-of-a-kind ambience.

Literary Cafe

Cafe, Coffee, Russian

One of Moscow’s biggest and most celebrated bookstores, Moskovskiy Dom Knigi is also a home to the pleasant Literary Cafe with surprisingly good food, exciting workshops, book readings and a plethora of books from which to choose. Here you can recharge your batteries by curling up with a good book on a snug sofa.

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to 40% on our unique trips..

See privacy policy .

Cafe, Coffee, Georgian, French

This multi-space venue comprises a café, an artsy bookstore, a small art gallery, a designer shop and a conservatory – the latter of which hosts music performances on weekends. Founded by Vasili Tsereteli, whose father created Moscow’s Peter the Great statue, Mart shares the building with the Moscow Museum of Modern Art. Apart from the exciting cultural agenda, the café offers delicious Georgian and French dishes.

One of Russia’s most famous centres for contemporary art boasts the best museum café in Moscow. The pleasantly laid-back establishment offers an inventive menu and friendly service. As for books – you can always borrow one in the Garage Library or get one from the museum’s bookstore.

LES, located in the Museum of Moscow, is a perfect spot if you’re looking for some peace and quiet. Loved for its minimalist design, exquisite drinks and coffee-savvy staff, LES is also home to a small but well-chosen library.

Cafe Pushkin

Cafe, Restaurant, Patisserie, Dessert Shop, Pastry Shop, Bakery, Russian

One of Moscow’s best and most famous restaurants, Cafe Pushkin has an entire dining hall named ‘Library’. Grab a book and enjoy some of the best meals you can have in Russia’s capital, all while soaking in the atmosphere of a historic pre-revolutionary mansion.

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

Meet our local insider.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

What do you love about your job, it's the personal contact, the personal experiences. i love meeting people from all over the world... i really like getting to know everyone and feeling like i'm traveling with a group of friends., what destination is on your travel bucket-list, i have so many places on my list, but i would really lobe to go to africa. i consider myself an “adventure girl” and africa feels like the ultimate adventure.

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

See Our Culture Trips

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

6 ways to save on food in Moscow

Depo. Moscow is known for a big variety of affordable fast-casual restaurants in the city centre

1. Business lunch

Business lunch in cafe Mu-Mu

Most restaurants and cafes offer an inexpensive business lunch menu from 12pm to 4pm. During these hours, you can dine for an average of 300-500 rubles (up to $8). The most expensive business lunch includes a salad, soup, main course, drink, and dessert. A cheaper option is usually a combination of soup or salad and a main course. The servings may be slightly smaller than when ordering the same dishes   à la carte , but not massively so. Plus, lunch in a restaurant is a chance to try out dishes that would be too expensive for dinner.

2. Lunch in a canteen

Retro cafe "Buffet N11" at Arbatskaya metro station

Lunch in a canteen (similar to a business lunch) can be a little cheaper. Here you're unlikely to be offered the delights of French or Italian cuisine, and the interior will be simpler; instead, get ready for some time-honored Soviet dishes.

The most famous canteens in Moscow are located in the city center: Canteen N57 in the GUM department store on Red Square and Buffet N11 at Arbatskaya metro station. Don’t let the unappetizing names put you off.

3. Full menu discount

Another alternative to a business lunch is when restaurants give a 20-30% discount on all dishes on the menu. Such offers generally run from 12pm to 5pm.

4. Supermarket snack bars

Snack bar in "Azbuka vkusa" supermarket

Large and medium supermarket chains (Okey, Perekrestok, Vkus Vill, Azbuka vkusa) often have snack bars where shoppers can buy a portion of salad, soup, a second course, and a piece of cake by weight. There are usually tables nearby. Ask the staff to heat up the food in the microwave. Prices are much lower than in a cafe.

5. Closing time sales

A few hours before closing, many cafes and bakeries sell pastries and sandwiches left over from the day. At this time, you can pick up bread, desserts, and sometimes whole meals with up to 50% off. Information about the time and size of discount can be checked online or on site.   Where to look for offers: Volkonsky, Khleb Nasuschny, Paul Bakery, Bulka, Upside Down Cake, Bratya Karavaev.

6. Happy hours

Before dinner, usually 4–6/8pm, some small restaurants have happy hours when a meal (say, pizza) and a drink can be had for a small sum and a bottle of wine at half price.

Read more: Top 7 food delivery services in Moscow

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• Want to enjoy the ‘sweet life’ in Russia? Here’s how to cook Moscow Cake
• 8 main restaurant and bar streets in Moscow
• 10 Asian restaurants in Moscow recommended by those in the know

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.