HarperCollins announced a New Store Development Program to support independent booksellers opening new stores (or additional locations) in the US. Qualifying stores can get extra discount, “in the form of market development and fixture funds, on orders placed priorto opening and for the first three months of operation.” Harper will also give grants towards ABA membership dues and three months of Above the Treeline fees.
Harper’s president of sales Josh Marwell says in the announcement, “We want to do everything we reasonably can to encourage” the growth in indie stores, “especially in the critical early days of a new store’s life.” American Booksellers Association ceo Oren Teicher adds, “While our market has shown surprising strength these past few years, there remain many under-served communities all across the country and we hope programs like Harper’s will help fill the gaps.”