More than 1,000 bookstores across Germany are participating in the Week of Independent Bookstores this year. As part of the initiative, many independent shops are inviting readers to take part in Bookstore Crawls: visits to several participating stores that combine browsing, encounters and prize draws.
The campaign has been running since 2014 and aims to highlight bookshops, including independent retailers, at a time when many readers increasingly consume entertainment through smartphones. Both Frankfurt and Hanover are among the cities hosting a crawl.
In Frankfurt, the event is being held for the second time. Until November 14, readers can collect stamps and stickers at participating shops using a shared flyer. Purchases are not required, while completed entries offer the opportunity to take part in a prize draw. Bookstores Land in Sicht and Ypsilon, along with the publisher Schöffling & Co., are participating for the first time.
Mainz and the surrounding area are holding their first Bookstore Crawl this year. Around ten bookstores in the city are involved, joined by shops in Bodenheim, Hechtsheim and Ingelheim. Participants can use a browsing pass to explore the stores throughout November.
The campaign also begins on November 2 in Bremen and the surrounding area, where 21 bookstores are taking part. In the Bergisches Land, readers have been able to collect visit confirmations on a flyer since mid-October, with participating locations including Wuppertal, Solingen, Remscheid, Hückeswagen, Radevormwald and Wipperfürth. Cologne and Hamburg are also joining the initiative.
Sources: FAZ.