Lighthouse Books, Edinburgh
With the cost of living straining the buying habits of readers, independent bookshops are facing tough times. Yet, Lighthouse Books in Edinburgh is a testament to the power of a niche when it comes to building a loyal community of readers, writers and presses whose personal stakes in the business help it survive. Where other bookshops might be struggling against an economy that presents reading as an escapist indulgence, the political focus of Lighthouse’s stock reinforces reading as an active tool for educating and organising. That the cost of living has only increased sales at this radical bookshop is an encouraging signal that, when it comes to buying books, many readers are merely reassessing their priorities and refocusing on what feels most pertinent, rather than giving up reading.
How has your approach to stocking titles changed in recent years — are you noticing shifts in what customers want?
We've had to become more price conscious, as the RRP of books increases. But we also see an ever-increasing diversity of reading; books on subjects like trans rights, decolonisation, anti-capitalist economics and climate justice are more popular than ever, and like any good bookshop we follow our sales trends and try to introduce people to lesser-known titles.
What’s your process for choosing which publishers or small presses to work with?
First, we'll look for people who are publishing on interesting and important subjects, and doing so in a way that's both innovative and aligns with our ethical values. Then we see if the financial side can work, in terms of pricing, costs etc. There's a lot of brilliant small presses operating in the UK, and we love building relationships with them. We try to feature as many as possible in our monthly subscription service.
How do you balance supporting local authors with bringing in national or international bestsellers?
We're not a shop whose best-selling titles usually line up with what's selling at the national or international level (although sometimes there's overlap). We're far more interested in the content of a book, and whether we can find an audience for it.
Have you noticed any lasting effects from the pandemic or cost-of-living crisis on reading?
There's thankfully been a real post-pandemic resurgence of activity and sales for bookshops. In terms of reading habits, I think the networks of mutual aid that sprang up during the pandemic have inspired a lot of people to seek out books about community organising and activism. In terms of the cost-of-living crisis, while there's that increased price-sensitivity for book buyers, there's also a new interest in books about the political economy of the UK. People now want to know more about how the activities of markets and governments have real, material impacts on their lives.
What role do events — readings, launches, community gatherings — play in your business model?
Like every independent bookshop, events have been an essential part of our model from day one. They continue to be a cornerstone of who we are, not just for promo or sales reasons, but as part of our mission to be a true community space and a haven for vulnerable and marginalised people. This principle informs how we programme events, the content of our safer spaces policy, and considerations like asking attendees to wear face masks to protect our immunocompromised patrons. Events are where the bookshop comes to life, and you can particularly see this during our two big headline festivals each year: the Book Fringe (in August) and Edinburgh's Radical Book Fair (in November).
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Are there particular genres or areas of publishing where you see growth or decline?
Every year we see more interest in queer writing, whether that's love stories, science fiction, memoir or academic research (among other categories). Thankfully a rich vein of LGBTQ+ publishing has developed over the last couple of decades, and every month there are new and exciting titles. There's also an ever-increasing interest in books on neurodiversity and neurodivergent experience, and we sell more of these each year. We're seeing a lot of growth in Horror and Romantasy, with Romance dropping off somewhat after a couple of real boom years. Hardback books for us are selling less than ever, and that's largely an affordability issue.
How do you use online sales or social media alongside the in-person experience?
The Lighthouse online shop lets us serve customers who live further afield, including internationally. It's always gratifying to get an order from someone who's heard about us on the other side of the world. Having a well-maintained online store was crucial to our survival during the pandemic, and it remains a major part of our business. Social media has tremendous power as a marketing tool, and as a conduit for leading people to the online shop, but it's also important for us to reflect the in-person Lighthouse experience in our social media posting. Platforms like Instagram and Tiktok can allow us to give people a sense of the bookshop as a welcoming physical space.
What are some of the biggest challenges facing independent bookshops in Scotland today — and how are you tackling them?
The number one material challenge is business rates. Rates have leapt up massively this year, and bookshops (as well as many other small retailers) have taken a huge hit. This not only eats into our already slim profit margins, but also makes it very difficult to hire new staff or pay existing employees a decent wage. Competition from loss-leading book-sellers like supermarkets and online retailers is an ever-present issue, but the best way for indie bookshops to combat this is to make the sensory experience of visiting our shops a core part of what we're offering. People don't just want books, but also the feel of being in a dedicated bookshop with its own unique vibe.
Is there a book, author, or trend that’s currently shaping discussions among your customers?
The big one is AI, and its use not just in writing and publishing, but also in how bookshops operate. Our customers are overwhelmingly opposed to the creeping spread of AI usage because of its environmental and economic impacts, as well as inherent issues with copyright theft. This is a view that we share as a bookshop, and we see it reflected in the types of books that sell well for us. Additionally, Palestine and the relentless erosion of trans rights are perennial issues that shape our customers' discussions and inform both our events and stock profile.
What do you think defines a great contemporary bookseller — instinct, community connection, or sheer persistence?
All of the above, I think! Plus boldness and a clear sense of identity. Who are you doing this for? What's your purpose beyond simply selling books? You have to be willing to accept a measure of risk and also have a clear vision for what your shop is. None of us can be solely led by customer tastes and sales patterns. We only survive by distinguishing ourselves, and giving people an experience that they'd never find anywhere else.
Evie Glen is a freelance arts, culture and feature writer living in Glasgow.
