Second Hand Books Shops Feel The Pinch from Oxfam
Posted on August 12, 2009
Filed Under arts and entertainment |
Second hand book dealers have surprised many people by taking a pop at Oxfam. It is rare that anyone is bold enough to take a pop at such an established charity as Oxfam. However things have got so bad for the second hand book industry they are willing to speak out and claim that Oxfam is putting them out of business.
They claim that Oxfam is the “Tesco of the second hand book market” and that the unfair competition from Oxfam is responsible for the close of many seconds hand book shops over the last 15 years.
Since opening its first second hand book shop in 1987 Oxfam now has 121 second hand bookshops in different parts of the country, selling over 19 million pounds worth of books lat year, and is considered the largest retailer of second hand books in Europe.
Dealers have argued that Oxfam is able to compete unfairly in the marketplace due to there charitable status, they get free staffing from volunteers, they do not have to pay for stock and also they get an 80% reduction on business rates due to there charitable status.
Oxfam have responded by stating that in an open market there are many other factors currently affecting the viability of second hand book sellers, such as lower new book prices, and the ability to purchase second hand books online. To single out Oxfam for blame and the decline of the industry is unfair.
Dealers are unclear about what measures should be taken. Do they want Oxfam prohibited from selling books? Do they object to an obvious charity receiving charitable status? Do they wish for free product and staffing to be donated to themselves by general populace so they can make personal profit?
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