Bookstores on the decline

An Australian politician gets in trouble predicting the decline of bookshops.

I think in five years, other than a few specialist booksellers in capital cities we will not see a bookstore, they will cease to exist.

Mr Sherry may have lacked some prudence here? Though earlier this year an Australian bookstore collapsed and blamed online selling.

The owners of Angus & Robertson and Borders in Australia, REDgroup Retail, collapsed in February with A$118 million ($153 million) in debt, blaming online competition as one reason for the failure

And it it is not just the advent of online buying which affects other retail sectors, but electronic formats including both electronic books and online information sources.

Perhaps his advice could have been welcomed.

Senator Sherry made the comments at a launch of the Driving Business Online campaign, a private sector initiative designed to encourage small business owners to boost their online presence.

It is not like his comments will change the behaviour of Australian buyers. But people seem more attuned to perceived insults than facing reality.