ARA Executive Director Russell Zimmerman said electronic book publishing focused on popular fiction produced in high volume but there would always be a market for difficult to find or specialty books in hard copy.

"The news last week that Australia's largest bookstores, Angus & Robertson and Borders, have been handed to administrators has sparked debate that traditional book retailers are struggling under the rise of online shopping and new electronic books. There's no doubt this is true but there is also an opportunity for traditional bookstores to keep working at driving loyalty, value and unique experiences over online transactions.

"Despite the trend for consumers to move away from buying traditional books and instead enjoy the lasted popular fiction on their Kindle or e-reader, booklovers who seek out rare or niche books, will still prefer to buy from local community booksellers and read the old -fashioned way. 

"There is an opportunity here for independent, community focused bookstores to do very well because they are more likely to stock the wider range of unique and quality books literature connoisseurs are seeking.

"It's not uncommon for smaller retailers to provide a quality product and service that challenges their larger competitors by capturing a large portion of the specialty market. A great example of this is the success bakeries have had by producing a wider and fresher range of bread products compared to supermarket giants." Zimmermann said.  

 For over 100 years, the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has been the peak industry body in Australia's $240 billion retail sector which employs over 1.2 million people. As an incorporated employer body under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and with a range of member services including business consulting, policy development, advocacy and education, the ARA promotes and protects over 5000 independent and national retailers throughout Australia.

Visit www.retail.org.au or call 1300 368 041.