This episode features an interview with Kathy Gagliano, EVP of Merchandising at Books-A-Million, the second-largest bookstore retailer in the US. Books-A-Million's strategy of investing in physical stores for curation, community, and culture, rather than competing on price with Amazon, is highlighted. The discussion covers their approach to trendspotting, category expansion into Manga/Anime and collectibles, and adapting to new customer demographics like the 'romantasy' genre driven by TikTok/BookTok.
Key takeaways
Books-A-Million's strategy prioritizes physical stores for curated experiences and community building, actively avoiding direct price competition with online giants like Amazon.
Their expansion strategy focuses on underserved mid-market areas, sidestepping high-rent urban centers, and tailoring merchandise regionally.
Books-A-Million leverages trendspotting to identify growing categories, exemplified by their timely expansion into Manga/Anime and collectibles.
The company is quick to pivot based on shifting customer demographics, as seen with their response to the 'romantasy' genre popularized by TikTok/BookTok.
Successful retail hinges on differentiating through curation and community, maintaining discipline, and investing in a mix of long-tenured and next-generation talent.
Today marks the 100th episode of Total Retail's podcast, Total Retail Talks. Over the past two years, Total Retail Talks has brought its listeners exclusive one-to-one interviews with leading retail industry executives on a broad range of topics. To celebrate this milestone episode, we decided to highlight some of our favorite guests from the previous…
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Books-A-Million's strategy prioritizes physical stores for curated experiences and community building, actively avoiding direct price competition with online giants like Amazon.
What does this episode say about product & merchandising?
Their expansion strategy focuses on underserved mid-market areas, sidestepping high-rent urban centers, and tailoring merchandise regionally.
What does this episode say about brand & content?
Books-A-Million leverages trendspotting to identify growing categories, exemplified by their timely expansion into Manga/Anime and collectibles.
What does this episode say about founder & leadership?
The company is quick to pivot based on shifting customer demographics, as seen with their response to the 'romantasy' genre popularized by TikTok/BookTok.
What does this episode say about retail & omnichannel?
Successful retail hinges on differentiating through curation and community, maintaining discipline, and investing in a mix of long-tenured and next-generation talent.
