Airport Bookstores: A Traveler's Reading Companion

Airports are a hub of activity, with travellers often looking to pass the time by reading a book. Airports typically have at least one bookstore, and some even have multiple. These bookstores are often laid out differently and stock a different selection of books compared to traditional bookstores. They are designed to appeal to travellers, with carefully curated selections and pricing that encourages impulse buys.

The types of books sold at airports vary, but typically include mystery, suspense, thrillers, inspirational non-fiction, children's picture books, and board and activity books. Books that tend to do well include children's activity books, harder thinking titles, and popular fiction.

Some airports also offer unique programs or incentives to encourage reading and book purchases. For example, Paradies Lagardère, which operates 850 airport bookstores in the US and Canada, has a Read and Return program where travellers can purchase a book, read it, and then return it at their arrival destination for a 50% refund.

Authors looking to get their books into airport bookstores can follow several steps, including understanding the airport market, researching where the airport stores order their books from, creating an appealing product, and pitching their book to the right airport stores.

Airports are hotbeds for impulse purchases and high prices

Airports are a hive of activity, with people rushing to and from their destinations, often with little time to spare. This makes them the perfect environment for impulse purchases, and retailers are well aware of this. Airports are carefully designed to encourage travellers to spend money, and bookstores are a key part of this strategy.

The bookstores found in airports are often laid out differently from those on the high street, with carefully curated selections of books designed to appeal to travellers. These books are often priced higher than usual, with the expectation that customers will be willing to pay a premium for the convenience of an airport purchase.

The captive audience of travellers is a key demographic for bookstores, and publishers have identified this as a valuable marketing opportunity. Travellers often have time to kill and are looking for something to occupy themselves during their journey, making books an ideal purchase. This is especially true for business travellers, who may be looking for something to read during their downtime.

To take advantage of this, publishers and authors must understand the specific demands of the airport market. Softcover books are preferred due to their portability, and certain genres tend to perform better than others. Mystery, suspense, thrillers, inspirational non-fiction, and children's books are popular choices for airport readers.

Authors hoping to get their books into airport bookstores should also consider the unique ordering process of these stores. Many airport bookstores order from specific wholesalers, so understanding the supply chain is crucial. Additionally, a well-crafted pitch, including a press kit, a free copy of the book, and a confident attitude, can increase the chances of success.

Airport bookstores are a unique environment where impulse purchases and high prices go hand in hand. For publishers and authors, understanding the dynamics of this market can be the key to success, providing valuable exposure to a wide range of travellers.

Paradies Lagardère operates 850 airport bookstores in the US and Canada

The Read and Return program allows travellers to purchase a book at their departing airport, read it, and then return it to any of Paradies Lagardère's airport bookstores to receive 50% of the purchase price back. The program is a great way to save money on books and discover new reads while travelling. It also encourages reading and provides an engaging experience for travellers.

The program has been a popular find for travellers, with signage promoting and explaining it in all Paradies Lagardère bookstores. The company's focus on delivering engaging traveller experiences has solidified its position as a leading North American travel retailer and restaurateur.

Paradies Lagardère's bookstores operate under brands such as The New York Times, CNBC, Today, and Univision, among others. The company was acquired by the Lagardère Group, a French company, in 2015, expanding its reach and influence in the travel retail market.

The Read and Return program offers a 50% refund on books

Airports are well-known for their high prices and impulse purchases. However, there is a way to get a deal on a book at an airport, thanks to the Read and Return program. This program, offered by Paradies Lagardère, allows travellers to buy a book at their departing airport and return it to any Paradies Lagardère airport bookstore at their arrival destination—and receive 50% of the purchase price back.

Paradies Lagardère operates 850 airport bookstores across the United States and Canada, so there are plenty of opportunities to take advantage of this program. The Read and Return program was launched in 2003 to entice business travellers away from online sellers and other retailers. It has been a successful loyalty program, with Paradies Lagardère's CEO, Gregg Paradies, calling it "a great loyalty program" that is "just as effective today as 20 years ago, even though the book business has changed a lot."

The program is simple: you buy a book at any Paradies Lagardère-owned airport bookstore, read it, and bring it back to any of their airport bookstores within six months, along with your receipt. The book should be in decent condition, and the shop will then refund half of what you paid. The returned book will be resold as "gently used" for half the price. If the book is not in good condition, it will be donated to a local library to encourage literacy in the community.

This program is a great way to save money on books at the airport and also provides the convenience of returning the book wherever your travels take you. So, the next time you're at the airport, keep an eye out for Paradies Lagardère bookstores and take advantage of this fantastic offer!

Books can be returned at any Paradies Lagardère location

Paradies Lagardère is a leading North American travel retailer and restaurateur, operating over 1,035 stores in 103 airports across the United States and Canada. The company was founded in 1960 by brothers Jim and Dan Paradies, who opened their first store—a toy shop—at the then-Atlanta Municipal Airport. In 2003, Paradies Lagardère launched its Read and Return program, which allows travellers to purchase a book at any of their airport bookstores, read it, and return it to any other Paradies Lagardère airport bookstore location for a partial refund.

The Read and Return program is simple: buy a book at a Paradies Lagardère airport bookstore, read it on the plane or during your trip, and if you've finished it within six months, bring it and your receipt to any other Paradies Lagardère airport bookstore in North America. As long as the book is in decent condition, the shop will refund half of the purchase price. This program is like getting two books for the price of one, and it's a great way to save money on some of the best books you'll ever read.

Paradies Lagardère has a wide range of bookstore locations throughout North America, making it convenient for travellers to return their books and receive a partial refund. The company operates under brands such as The New York Times, various American collegiate athletic conferences, Brooks Brothers, and more. So, whether you're travelling to a different state or a different country, you can easily find a Paradies Lagardère location to return your book.

The Read and Return program is a unique and exciting offering from Paradies Lagardère, and it has become a popular and fun find for travellers. The program not only provides travellers with a cost-effective way to enjoy books during their journeys but also contributes to local communities by donating gently used books to libraries. So, the next time you're at an airport, keep an eye out for a Paradies Lagardère bookstore and take advantage of their Read and Return program!

Books are resold at half price or donated to local libraries

Many airports have bookstores, and some even have their own libraries. If you're looking to buy a book at an airport, you're in luck—airport bookstores often stock a wide range of titles, from bestsellers to classics, fiction, and non-fiction.

If you're looking to save some money on books, there are a few options available at airport bookstores. One option is the Read and Return program offered by Paradies Lagardère, which operates 850 airport bookstores across the United States and Canada. With this program, you can buy a book at any participating location, read it, and then return it to any other Paradies Lagardère airport bookstore to receive a 50% refund. The store will then resell the book at half price. This program is a great way to get a discount on books and also helps reduce waste by giving gently used books a second life.

If you're not interested in keeping the book, or if you're unable to finish it within the six-month time frame of the Read and Return program, you can also choose to donate your book. Paradies Lagardère accepts donations of gently used books, which they give to local libraries. This way, you can pass on the joy of reading to others in the community.

Additionally, some airports have Little Free Libraries, which are community-based book-exchange boxes. These libraries operate on a take-a-book, leave-a-book system, allowing travelers to take a book for free and leave one for someone else to enjoy. This can be a great way to find a new read while also lightening your luggage load.

Donating books to libraries is a wonderful way to support literacy and learning in your community. Libraries are always grateful for donations, and they carefully consider each donation to ensure it aligns with their collection scope. When donating books, it's important to consider the type of books that different libraries may be interested in. For example, historical books may be better suited to a local historical society, while older manuals or academic texts might be a better fit for a university research library. It's also worth remembering that while libraries appreciate donations, they also incur costs for cataloging, conservation, and housing new books.

Frequently asked questions