Chain stores offer many advantages over traditional bookstores. Because of their greater purchasing power they are able to offer better prices to their customers. Also the range of books available in chain bookstores tends to be much higher. The average chain bookstore in fact carries almost 150,000 titles. They also carry stuff like music CDs and DVDs. Chain bookstores tend to be large, well-lit and airy and offer places where their customers can sit and read through books, with a cup of coffee to keep them company if they so desire. In fact, chain bookstores are now becoming the new hang-out joint. Chain bookstores also have authors visiting their stores and talking about their books as well as participating in book-signings. The price advantage combined with the range on offer and the ambience, have made these bookstores extremely popular.

Despite their popularity, however, chain bookstores are today suffering from a bit of a backlash. At one end they are being threatened by the online bookstores that are, if anything, able to offer even larger discounts then they are. On the other hand, they are being hit back by independent bookstores that were so far at the receiving end. Chain bookstores are being portrayed as being more impersonal and less service-conscious as compared to the independent bookstore. The online threat has been addressed to some extent by these bookstores by the opening up their own online section. Within the store as well, features like bestseller lists have been started for the benefit of customers. Chain bookstores have also tried to improve on their service front with more better trained and more informed employees.