Jade: Trader Joe's and Small Independent Bookstores

Sometime this past week I stumbled upon an article about how the limited selection offered by Trader Joe's actually boosts its profits. After scrolling through my browser history on both my laptop and my phone, I unfortunately cannot find the same article. To try and summarize it's main argument, however, we as humans tend to be indecisive when faced with too many choices. If we have so many options in front of us, we end up thinking to much, wavering, and sometimes we end up walking away empty handed. Reflecting on this thought, whenever I'm online shopping I spend so much time looking at all of my options that once I've decided on a favorite item or two, I've already mentally talked myself out of spending money and thus promptly close the tabs.

This behavior may explain why I prefer the smaller of the two independent bookstores in my hometown. Assuming that the types of books they sell overlap a decent amount (though the smaller bookstore keeps The Rook in stock while the larger one does not...) perhaps it's because there is less of a selection that I can find or settle on a book both easier and quicker. This only applies, of course, when one is browsing. If I know of a certain book I want, I'd say it's more like a 25/75 split that the smaller vs. the larger bookstore will carry it. Another downside to the smaller bookstore is that because the store itself has a smaller footprint and is more cramped, it's not as pleasant of an experience side shuffling through the aisles while looking for my next read. It almost feels like a subtle, perhaps unintentional question of profit v. experience when it comes to the design of an independent bookstore. Something to consider if any of us open our own small business one day.