In a world where high street and specialist bookshops are disappearing one after another, it's nice to see that bookshops in airports are reversing the trend. With that in mind, we uncover why airport bookshops remain popular with travelers.
Growing up in an age when computers and the Internet were a future dream, I and others like me used to read books for entertainment. Most of these books came from the local library and were swapped weekly for a new read.
People still like to read books
Sadly, libraries are not as popular as they once were, but people still like to read. For many years Borders bookshops in the United States were the place to have coffee and browse through the latest bestsellers. When Borders went bust and closed in 2009, it left Barnes & Noble as the leading brick-and-mortar book retailer. Despite having shops in prominent locations, Barnes & Noble is dwarfed by online retailer Amazon which sells more books than any other company worldwide.
When Amazon introduced its Kindle e-reader in 2007, it was expected to revolutionize how people bought and read books. While many people like downloading and reading books on the Kindles, there remains a particular pleasure in holding and turning the pages of a traditionally printed book.
Reading a book can help to pass the time
Now back to the question of why airport bookshops remain so popular. In these days of enhanced security and long check-in lines, we all know that we need to get to the airport early to make sure we make it in time for our flight.
So here we are at the airport three hours early and manage to check in and get through security in record-breaking time. What do you do when you still have two hours to wait until your flight boards? The answer is simple; you go for a wander and explore the airport.
Bars and restaurants are an obvious choice, but given their outrageous prices, it's best to browse the shops. Of all the shops, the airport bookstore has a magnetic appeal. As you enter, you first see a table full of the latest bestsellers. You may have even read a book review or have been told about a particular book by a friend, co-worker, or family member. Instinctively you are going to pick it up and browse through it. You may also be attracted to the travel section and be tempted to buy a Fodors or Lonely Planet guide about the destination you are flying to.
Airport bookstores don't just sell books
By design, airport bookstores like WH-Smith and Hudson News are there for people with time. Also, because they sell newspapers, magazines, snacks, and drinks, they have an additional attraction for travelers.
Buying a book at the airport can allow you to escape into the story while sitting at the gate or to discourage a chatty person from trying to engage you in conversation. Generally speaking, bibliophiles or people going away on a beach vacation would have secured their reading material well in advance. The airport bookstore allows you to buy something to read that you have been thinking about last minute and take it with you on your trip.