Why are independent bookstores pushing you to shop early this year? Yes, we all want to boost our sales. But we also want to make sure you get the books you want. Here are the reasons why that might not happen if everyone waits until December:
(1)

a) Printer Stress - A lot of printers have gone under this year. Fewer printers means long backups at the ones still in business. Also, the vast majority of color printing is done overseas (China, mainly). Shipping delays will make it hard to reprint the hot bestsellers (2)

b) Warehouse Slowdowns - Before Covid19, warehouses could have dozens of workers picking & packing on an aisle at the same time. Now it might be as few as 1 or 2 workers. That means getting books out of the publisher and wholesaler warehouses takes much, much longer. (3)

c) Bookstore Safety - Because of Covid19, nearly all indie bookstores have set limits on the number of people allowed in the store at once. If everyone waits until Dec. to shop, there will be huge lines outside waiting in the cold. We really, really don't want that. (4)

d) Amazon Fail - For those thinking there's always the Big A, most of the problems I mentioned affect them as well. They get books from the same printers. They have warehouse problems, too. And their shipping is already slower. So indies are your best bet. Just shop early. Thx!