Bookzone seeing spell of decreasing sales

When the fifth Harry Potter book hits stores in June, it might
work some needed magic for declining Bookzone sales.

Bookzone, which sells non-textbooks in the UCLA Store, has
experienced a drop in sales since 1999 ““ the year when the
original Harry Potter made sales skyrocket.

Since then, there haven’t been any true bestsellers, said
Keith Schoen, UCLA Store director.

Bookzone sales, which constitute 5 percent of total store sales,
have dropped 11 percent this year. Last year, sales peaked at $2.7
million.

Schoen also attributed the lackluster sales to a sagging
economy. He added that Bookzone is going through the same ordeal as
bookstores across the country.

“We’re pretty much experiencing the general
economy,” Schoen said.

Compared to the rest of the country, the Associated Students of
UCLA’s 11 percent drop in Bookzone sales is modest.

Book sales across the country dropped by 20 percent from the
previous year for the 2002 holiday season, according to USA
Today.

“Just in general, books aren’t selling as well they
have in the past,” Schoen said.

Though book sales aren’t anticipated to increase next
year, Schoen said Bookzone won’t be downgrading ““ they
will continue to carry over 40,000 titles.

Chain stores such as Barnes and Noble and Borders give customers
a wider selection of books, and students have a tendency to flock
to the larger book venues, said Student Union Director Jerry
Mann.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to compete
against those big boxes,” Mann said.

David Hakimfar, a third-year history student, said he prefers
Borders over Bookzone because they have a wider selection and a
better return policy.

To remain competitive with surrounding book retailers, ASUCLA
implemented its READ program in September 2002, where subscribers
receive a 20 percent discount on their purchases. A one-year
membership costs $20.

In addition, the Internet ““ the Voldemort of the bookstore
world ““ is also to blame for the drop in book sales, Mann
said.

He said mailrooms on campuses across the nation are experiencing
an explosion of packages of items bought online.

“They’re purchasing them online; you don’t
have to pay a sales tax, you might as well have them delivered
here,” Mann said.

But for many students who make their purchases online, the
Internet hasn’t prevented them from just browsing through
Bookzone.

UCLA students can be found lounging around the couches, reading
books and magazines, but not making purchases.

Tiffany Graybill, a second-year sociology student, said she
likes going to Bookzone in between classes to read the books and
magazines.

“I like it. It’s nice when you have a break to read
and a lot of things to look at,” she said.

Graybill added that though she’s gone into Bookzone
several times with the intention of making a purchase, she has
never bought anything.

Even with Bookzone suffering a drop in sales, Schoen said
students are not obligated to purchase anything ““ ASUCLA is
in favor of students simply reading and relaxing.

ASUCLA has enhanced the area, and added extra lighting, he
said.

“Sure, we want to sell books, but we also want to do other
things,” he said.

Extra lighting is one thing, but Hakimfar said Bookzone could
have a more sociable setting reminiscent of other retail book
stores.

“They need a coffee shop,” he said. “The book
store lacks personality. It needs to be a place of hangout for
students.”