We have started a research project on shared bookstores nationwide

Shared bookstores (share-type bookstores), a collaborative management model where multiple people rent bookshelves as "shelf owners" to sell books, are spreading across the country.

It is a system that allows people who want to introduce or share their favorite books with others, or those who want to express themselves and connect with people through books, to start a "small bookstore" from a corner of a shelf. As local bookstores continue to decline, it is also attracting attention as a new bookstore management model.

We are seeing more opportunities to encounter content related to shared bookstores, such as feature articles in magazines and newspapers, and information shared directly by shared bookstore operators and shelf owners on websites, blogs, and social media.

On the other hand, there is currently no consolidated data available regarding the operation of shared bookstores, such as how many exist nationwide, how they are distributed, how shelf rental fees and book sales commissions are set, what sustainable management models look like, or how store owners, shelf owners, and local residents interact to form communities.

Therefore, we have started a research project to clarify the actual operational status of shared bookstores nationwide.

The editorial department of the magazine "Equal," presided over by Yukio Kikkawa, and volunteers from his private school, the "Deep Breathing Faculty," have become members of the research department and are proceeding with the investigation.

First, we are conducting a questionnaire survey for shared bookstore owners (operators) nationwide.

The slides below are the "interim report" of the questionnaire survey presented at the research meeting held on May 30th.

Click here for the event page

Click here for the recording of the presenter's presentation and Q&A session

Research department members searched for information on shared bookstores in various regions via internet searches, etc., and were able to list 62 stores as of the end of May. We explained the purpose of the research to store operators via inquiry forms and emails and requested their participation in the survey.

The survey is conducted via Google Forms, asking about basic store information, shelf rental status, fee settings, store management models, etc.

As of the interim report meeting on May 30th, 22 responses had been collected. Thank you to everyone who responded.

Please see the slides or video above for the content of the interim report. This report is merely a simple tabulation of the responses collected as of the end of May. We intend to conduct a more detailed analysis by increasing the number of responses and conducting interviews and literature reviews, but even from the current responses, it is evident that there is diversity in how shared bookstores are operated.

We will distribute research reports and shared bookstore information via note and theLetter

Moving forward, we would like to share findings from our research and information regarding shared bookstores through our note magazine and theLetter newsletter.

Please be sure to subscribe.

Click here for the note magazine

Click here for theLetter

We also plan to continue holding talk events and study groups, inviting shared bookstore operators, shelf owners, and those involved in the bookstore and publishing industries. We will announce these on note and theLetter as soon as the plans are finalized. If you are interested, we would be delighted to have you join us in this project.

Please send us information about shared bookstores nationwide

We have compiled and published information on shared bookstores from all over the country in the spreadsheet below. We believe there is still a lack of information, so if you know of any, please provide us with details. The first tab of the sheet below is open for anyone to edit freely. We will combine the information you provide with the research conducted by our research department members to periodically update the second tab, which will be sortable by prefecture.

As of the time of writing this note, we have listed information for 62 stores.

To all shared bookstore operators, please cooperate with our survey

We are asking shared bookstore operators to participate in a survey. If you are willing to cooperate, we would appreciate it if you could fill out the Google Form below. Once the survey results are compiled, we will send a 'Survey Report' to everyone who participated.