Independent bookstores in the U.S. are experiencing significant growth, with membership in the American Booksellers Association increasing to 3,417 stores across 3,783 locations. This resurgence is driven by a desire for community connection and a shift in consumer values, despite competition from larger retailers like Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

• 01Membership in the American Booksellers Association grew by over 500 in the past year, reaching 3,417 stores.
• 02Independent bookstores are expanding at rates not seen since the late 1990s, with diverse formats including mobile and pop-up stores.
• 03Many new bookstores focus on community engagement, blending book sales with social spaces.
• 04Barnes & Noble, once a major competitor, is expanding again under CEO James Daunt, adding over 100 new stores in two years.
• 05The independent bookstore sector remains precarious due to high costs and budget cuts affecting local libraries and schools.

The growth of independent bookstores fosters local community engagement and provides alternatives to online shopping.