From Columbus Business First, Women of Influence is an interview series showcasing some of the most powerful women in the Central Ohio business community. Hosted by Eleanor Kennedy, Assistant Managing Editor.
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episode 10: Crisis Management: Gary Lovely of The Book Loft on selling mystery, fighting Amazon
How can customers experience a treasure hunt when they can leave their house to go hunting?
That’s the quandary that face The Book Loft, the historic German Village book shop known for its 32 rooms filled with potential finds for voracious readers.
In our latest episode of Crisis Management, Gary Lovely, a bookseller and marketing manager at the shop, talked to Columbus Business First about how Covid-19 has impacted the business — from staffing and operations to the creation of the Malamarkus Mystery Box, staff-curated grab bags of books that have been a hit and revived some of the experiential elements of physically shopping the store.
The battle with Amazon is discussed — including the small ways in which that fight is shifting — and there are tips for supporting independent booksellers beyond just ordering online.