As France and the UK impose broad lockdowns again in the wake of rapidly rising Covid-19 infections, the treatment of book sales is receiving more focused attention this time versus the spring shutdowns. In France, Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Sunday night that he would prohibit supermarkets — which are still open — from selling non-essential products including books “as a matter of fairness” to specialty retailers such as bookstores, which are closed. This morning, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the government would consider allowing small stores to reopen as early as November 12, rather than December 1, […]
