How many bookstores are using Shopify for online sales?

Shopify Discussion

Topic summary

A brick-and-mortar bookstore owner using Shopify for online sales observes that most bookstores globally don’t use the platform, instead opting for custom websites or external IT solutions. The few bookstores on Shopify appear to be primarily specialist shops rather than general bookstores.

Proposed Initiative:

  • Creating a Shopify user group specifically for bookstores to share ideas and discuss platform-specific questions

Community Resources Shared:

  • Two Facebook groups recommended: “Booksellers Using Shopify” and “Bookseller Mentors”
  • One respondent mentions running a bookstore on Shopify for seven years and developing a dropshipping app for booksellers partnering with major U.S. publishers (Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster)

Current Status:
The discussion remains open with interest from at least one person planning a pop-up bookstore who wants guidance on whether to use Shopify.

Summarized with AI on November 2. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

Hello,

I have a brick-and-mortar bookstore, but I also sell books online. I use Shopify to sell books online.

It seems to me that the vast majority of bookstores across the globe do not use Shopify. They have websites that they set up themselves or they contract outside IT companies to do it for them.

I know that a small number of bookstores use Shopify to sell books online, but they, as far as I can see, are specialist bookstores. I am not sure how many general bookstores use Shopify.

I think that it would be a good idea if the bookstores who use Shopify might form some kind of User Group. There are several questions I would like to discuss with other Shopify-using bookstores. If you think that this is a good idea and you would like to become involved in a community or user group to share ideas about bookselling on Shopify, then you might respond to this post. The website of my shop is: www.quaybooksstore.com

Thanks,

Pat, Pat McMahon, Quay Books, Limerick, Ireland

1 Like
2

Hi @quay-books ,

Could you specify particular features or functionalities you’re seeking for your bookstore website that may not be supported by default in Shopify?

3

Hi @quay-books !

If you want to meet more booksellers who use Shopify, I recommend joining two groups on Facebook: Booksellers Using Shopify and Bookseller Mentors.

4

Hi There,

I’d love to follow a group like this. I’m starting a pop-up bookstore soon, and am trying to figure out if I should use Shopify or not, and would love to have a group to ask questions and troubleshoot.

5

Hi there!

This post is super helpful. I’ve been running my bookstore on Shopify for the past seven years, and it’s been an amazing journey. Currently, I’m developing an app specifically for booksellers to sell in a dropshipping format with top publishers in the U.S., including Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster.

If you’re interested in testing our Shopify app, check us out at: www.booksell.co