Cum

Running a bookstore in Johannesburg means dealing with real logistics: managing stock across a spread-out city, handling distribution challenges that affect what can stay on shelves, and competing with online ordering that's now just a click away. Physical bookstores have to think carefully about which titles to carry, how much of each, and how to create an experience worth the trip. The economics of print retail have shifted—online giants have changed how people shop—but independent stores that understand their local readers and stock accordingly can still thrive. It's not about having everything; it's about having the right things and making the space feel worth visiting.