How to curate and order your initial book inventory

Your goal: Fill your shelves for opening day

This is the moment your bookshop starts to feel real. Your main task is to place a large, initial order with your chosen publishers and distributors to ensure your shelves are full and appealing for your first customers. The key is to strike a balance between popular, well-known books and the unique titles that reflect your shop's special niche.

A smart approach: The 80/20 rule

A helpful way to structure your first order is the 80/20 rule. This ensures you have the books people expect to see, alongside the interesting finds that will make your shop a destination.

• 80% - The Crowd-Pleasers: This part of your budget should go on the "safe bets". This includes current Sunday Times bestsellers, well-known authors in your chosen genre, prize-winners, and classic books that people buy year after year (often called "backlist" titles). These are the books that will get people through the door.
• 20% - Your Unique Curation: This is where your passion and research shine. Use this smaller portion of your budget for books from independent publishers, debut authors, or beautiful special editions that you personally love. These are the titles that will build your shop's reputation and create a loyal customer base.

How to place your order

Follow these steps to turn your research into a physical inventory:

1. Create a master list: Use a spreadsheet to list every book you want to order. Include the title, author, ISBN (the unique 13-digit book identifier), publisher, and the quantity you want.
2. Allocate your budget: Decide on the total amount you want to spend on this first order. It’s wise to hold at least 15-20% of your total stock budget back. You'll quickly learn what sells once you open, and you'll need funds to re-order popular items.
3. Contact your suppliers: Using the trade accounts you've already set up, log in to the online ordering systems of your distributors (like Gardners or Bertrams) or contact your publisher sales representatives directly with your list.
4. Confirm and place the order: Double-check your order for accuracy. Pay close attention to minimum order quantities and estimated delivery times to ensure the books will arrive before your planned opening day.

Tips for a great first inventory

• Go for breadth, not depth: It’s better to have two copies of 100 different books than 20 copies of 10 books. A wide variety makes your shop look full and interesting.
• Think visually: Books with beautiful covers sell better when displayed "face-out". Order an extra copy or two of your most visually appealing titles to create eye-catching displays.
• Don't forget the staples: Even if you have a specific niche, it's a good idea to have a small, well-curated selection of children's books, local history, and popular non-fiction. These are often impulse buys.

Placing this first order is a huge milestone. When those boxes arrive, you're no longer just planning a business—you're building a bookshop.