The European & International Book Federation's RISE Bookselling program is launching its Reviving the High Street campaign to address challenges in the face of online retail growth, rising overhead costs, and a lack of investment in local infrastructure. The campaign is meant "to issue a clarion call to local politicians and stakeholders," urging "immediate, practical measures to revitalize the high street, ensuring its resilience and prosperity for years to come."
Through Reviving the High Street, RISE Bookselling seeks to highlight booksellers' unusual value, raise awareness of the challenges they face; and propose concrete solutions. The campaign has issued Nine Calls to Action, demanding action from policymakers and stakeholders:
- Promote Local Buying: Launch regular campaigns to underscore the importance of buying locally and investing in the local economy.
- Long-Term Business Support: Ensure sustained support for businesses beyond the startup phase, ensuring long-term security and growth.
- Strengthen Business Networks: Create viable structures to unite local businesses, facilitating interaction with public administration and political bodies.
- Combat Retail Space Vacancy: Address the issue of empty retail spaces by prioritizing affordable commercial facilities for small retailers.
- Prioritize Local Procurement: Encourage and prioritize local procurement processes to benefit businesses socially, financially, and environmentally.
- Knowledge Sharing: Establish a hub for knowledge exchange, where innovative projects can inspire other towns to replicate them.
- Enhance Infrastructure: Invest in town infrastructure and facilities without compromising local businesses and consumer footfall.
- Promote Cooperation: Foster cooperation and interdependency among local retailers for mutual benefit.
- Data-Driven Decisions: Conduct regular research to understand consumer needs and behaviors regarding the future of the high street.
Noting that local businesses, especially bookshops, "play a vital role in maintaining the economic vibrancy, charm, and cultural richness of towns," the campaign is making an urgent call for "political leadership, investment, and support."
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The Czech Republic will be the Guest of Honor at the 2026 Frankfurt Book Fair. The official agreement was signed at a ceremony this week in Prague by Frankfurter Buchmesse director Juergen Boos and Czech Minister of Culture Martin Baxa. The Czech Republic will be represented at this year's fair by 23 publishing houses and through its own program.
"I am very pleased that the Czech Republic will appear as Frankfurter Buchmesse's Guest of Honor in 2026," Boos said. "I'm especially pleased about the motto for the country's presence at the fair: 'Czechia--A Country on the Coast.' It's a maritime description of a landlocked Central European country. It catches the eye, it stimulates the imagination--far beyond the literary motif of Bohemia by the Sea. We are also looking forward to a Guest of Honor program featuring contemporary literature represented by authors such as Radka Denemarková, Jáchym Topol, and Kateřina Tučková. Another program focus: the cultural and literary perspective of a country located in the heart of Central Europe."
Baxa commented: "I am delighted to learn that the Czech Republic will be the Guest of Honor at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026. The Czech Republic's appearance at the fair is a major opportunity for the Czech book industry and the country's entire cultural sector. It's not only a chance to present the high quality of Czech literature to the world, but also an investment in the future. I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this outstanding outcome. But the work is not yet done--on the contrary. The biggest part is still ahead of us and I'm already looking forward to the results."
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"Between home and work there is a special 'third place." The Canadian Independent Booksellers Association's "Meet Our Member" series focused on River Bookshop, Amherstburg, Ont., which was opened by Richard and Colleen Peddie in 2020. Among the highlights of the q&a with lead bookseller Meghan Desjardins:
Your goal is to be the "third place" for community members. Why is this important to you and how do you meet this goal in the day-to-day?
The idea of the "third place" is foundational to Richard and Colleen's vision. Our core values--educate, entertain, inspire, engage--impact everything we do. We aim to make the store itself a community space. (Come talk to us! Hang out for a while!) We also have tons of events going on every month like readings, book club initiatives, partnerships with local businesses, and more. We're also fortunate to have a beautiful event space above the bookstore called Hole in the Wall, which is plush and spacious, equipped with an audio-visual system, and allows us to host as many events as our hearts desire. (Which is currently very many!) --Robert Gray