Amazon adds sales tax in one more state; used book sales rebound in one city; Texas bookstore offers dedicated shopping day for vets; and more.
Used Bookstores Coming Back in Richmond: With the return of print and the rise of independents, used bookstores are gaining traction. This summer Books-A-Million opened its second 2nd & Charles in the Richmond area. Sales have been steady at 59-year-old Richmond Book Shop, while foot traffic is up at Midlothian Book Exchange.
Reopening of BookBuyers Delayed: The used bookstore, which recently moved from Mountain View to Gilroy, Calif., where it was to have opened by June 1, is still not ready. In addition to delays in earthquake retrofitting for the store’s new location, BookBuyers has fallen short of its $35,000 GoFundMe campaign goal for the move. Despite the hurdles, Ajaya and his wife, Punita, are determined to open the store.
Amazon to Collect Sales Tax in Alabama: Starting November 1, online shoppers in Alabama will pay 8% sales tax on purchases from Amazon. Through the state’s Simplified Use Tax Remittance Program, which was signed into law in October 2015, online retailers that do not have operations within the state can collect, report and distribute the 8 % tax back to the state. Under the law, Amazon and the other participating online retailers would continue to pay the same rate even if federal regulations set a higher rate. The rate is less than the 10% rate in some municipalities, including Montgomery.
North Lake College Offers Shopping Day for Vets: The community college, which is located in Irving, Tex., wants to make it easier for veterans to get their books at the start of the semester by dedicating a day just for them. On Friday August 19, the bookstore is planning one-on-one assistance and refreshments.
