Summary
Role of the bookseller
Assortment
The bookseller receives representatives of publishing houses to keep informed of forthcoming publications.
He then selects the books to acquire for his bookstore, according to his clientele, his positioning, trends…
Handling
Whether generalist or specialized, the bookseller must also provide substantial physical work.
He receives the books in boxes, and installs them on the shelves. Regularly, he also has the possibility of returning unsold items…
In short, the bookseller must have a solid back!
Sale
Collection is the culmination of a long process. The bookseller must highlight his collection, by staging his windows around themes, sometimes even by organizing workshops or cultural events…
He must then inform customers, meet their expectations and invite them to discover his new works.
Bookseller working conditions
A seller…
The bookseller generally works in a bookstore, but not only. Many local shops also sell books, as do supermarkets… In any case, whether they are employees or managers, the bookseller is above all a tradesman.
Not like the others
The sale of cultural products is nevertheless somewhat different from the others. It can be specialist or generalist. It requires keeping informed, in particular of school programs, current events… Outside the opening hours of the shop, the bookseller therefore has a substantial job of research and… reading!
How much does a bookseller earn?
Salaries for booksellers vary depending on the position held and the size of the bookstore. In most cases, the profession offers modest incomes.
Beginner, a salaried bookseller touches minimum wage. A manager of a large bookstore can earn a maximum salary of €4,000.
Training to become a bookseller
A wide choice of universities
There are several post-baccalaureate courses to become a bookseller, all more or less professionalizing:
- the DUT information communication option trades of the book;
- modern literature licenses with bookstore option, pro publishing trade licenses with bookstore and book trades option.
Training organizations
- the BP (professional certificate) bookseller is a diploma accessible after the baccalaureate, particularly recognized by the profession;
- the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) offers training in bookshop sales;
- the CFCL (Training Center for Commercial Bookstores), trains salespeople responsible for the departments in bookstores.
Qualifications needed to be a bookseller
Taste of the book
To advise, and therefore sell, the bookseller must know as many authors as possible. If he cannot have read everything, he must keep himself informed of literary releases, through the professional press, television programs…
Taste of others
The bookseller is the privileged intermediary between the publishing houses, which try to make a maximum of publicity, and the public.
It is therefore up to him to play this role of mediator as well as possible, to encourage passers-by to enter his bookstore and build their loyalty.
The bookseller must always be welcoming, attentive, helpful, and give good advice!
Taste of trade
The bookseller must also perfectly master sales and management techniques. He must know how to manage his stock, order books, etc.
Content updated on 05/29/2012
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