Beginning July 1, HarperCollins will start a New Store Development program for U.S. independent booksellers who are opening new stores or expanding to additional locations.
Under the HC initiative, qualifying stores will be eligible for additional discount, in the form of market development and fixture funds, on orders placed prior to opening and for the first three months of operation. In addition, HC will provide grants towards ABA membership dues and three months of Above the Treeline fees. The program will run through the end of 2016.
“Local independent bookstores play a significant role in community life around the nation and there is definitely room for many more of them,” said Josh Marwell, president of sales at HC in a statement. “We want to do everything we reasonably can to encourage such growth, especially in the critical early days of a new store's life.”
ABA CEO Oren Teicher thanked HC for helping to make it easier for more bookstores to open. “While our market has shown surprising strength these past few years, there remain many under-served communities all across the country and we hope programs like Harper's will help fill the gaps,” Teicher said.
