Smaller independent stores reeling from demand they sell mags for U.S. price

Small independent book and magazine stores are reeling from the news that Wal-Mart and Indigo Books and Music are chopping prices to the U.S. rate. According to a story in the Halifax Daily News, some stores say that demands by consumers may finish them off, since buyers don't realize small bookstores buy, as well as sell, at the Canadian price. Smaller margin independents can't take the acknowledged "big hit" that giants like Wal-Mart are absorbing in order to reap the public relations benefits of the new pricing.

Dina Dickson, manager of Frog Hollow Books in Park Lane Shopping Centre, said the news from both retailers will have an immediate, negative impact on the little guy.

"I've been here for 15 years and I've seen lots of ups and downs, but this one could kill us," she said.

Dickson said the store is already experiencing difficulty because even loyal customers are coming in requesting books at the listed U.S. prices. What they don't understand, she said, is that small stores like Frog Hollow aren't getting any deals from American publishers and are still purchasing books at Canadian prices. She said although they'd love to offer their customers competitive prices like Wal-Mart, there's very little room for movement.

"There's no way, we'd be closed tomorrow if we did it."