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In the final countdown to Christmas independent booksellers have reported that some titles are out of stock at both wholesalers Bertrams and Gardners.
Bertrams/THE is paying cash up front for stock and managing director Michael Neil admitted that this was affecting business. He said: "We only buy what we can sell, so clearly that is having an impact on availability."
Peter Donaldson of Red Lion Books in Colchester thought Gardners was probably "picking up the slack and consequently more books are going out of stock". Sue How of the Bakewell Bookshop in Derbyshire also said that she believed Gardners was "overwhelmed". John Hudson of Fordingbridge Books in Hampshire said: "Across the board they’re not performing, gaps aren’t filled yet."
Gardners commercial director Bob Jackson denied the reports. "Availability now is better than ever before", after the company made a "decision to obtain more stock", he said. "We are trying to service a demand that is higher than normal but it is physically impossible to be fully stocked at all times."
While Christmas trade appeared to be mixed for independent retailers all were concerned about next year. Paul Sweetman at City Books in Hove said 2009 would be "tough". Liz Howard of the Curiosity Bookshop in Runcorn said, "In January you don’t expect anyone to be wearing the carpet out". Philip Wicks of Yorkshire Books in North Yorkshire said: "The key word for next year is survival. I think we’ve got a lot to do, to continually market the business and make sure people know we’re here."
Indies are hoping for a sudden rush in the three days before Christmas. Hudson of Fordingbridge Books said: "The later Christmas is: the better it is for us. Our best day of trading is Christmas Eve."