The paper book has been repeatedly retired, announcing its decline in the face of the digital push. However, defying predictions, it seems to enjoy a surprising vitality,
not only in Spain but also in other key markets such as the United States.
As if it were an entity with an unexpected capacity for reinvention, the physical book and the bookstores that embrace it are showing remarkable resilience.
A clear example in Spain is Casa del Libro. With 63 stores - and plans to open seven more in 2025 - the chain is experiencing annual growth of 5% and, significantly, 77% of its sales come from its physical stores.
This success, in a highly competitive online environment dominated by giants such as Amazon, is based on a strategy that combines the expert prescription of its employees - "booksellers by vocation", as defined by its CEO, Javier Arrevola- with the creation of a unique shopping experience. They seek to turn a visit to the bookstore into something "as pleasurable as going to the movies," a relaxed space with even a touch of luxury that the digital environment cannot match.
This approach seems to resonate, as according to the Spanish publishers' guild, physical bookstores generated almost 55% of the industry's turnover in 2023, underlining their crucial role.
