Independent Bookshop Week 2025

Bookstores are to book lovers what catnip is to cats - little treasure troves of happiness. But when it comes to being the gatekeepers of bookish bliss, Indie bookshops are a breed apart.

What is considered an indie bookstore?

Independent bookshops are smaller, privately owned and individually operated bookstores. They're not part of a large chain, a lot of them are family-run and, in some places, they are still the nearest and most accessible book retailer within a certain geographical area.

Unfortunately, advances in shopping online and the rise of big conglomerates like Amazon have literally pushed some of these smaller stores out of business. Problem is... Indie stores do more than just sell books. They not only sell little bundles of escapism, but also host events, build connections in the local community, generate jobs, keep the local highstreets alive, and make literature, knowledge and culture more accessible.

What is Independent Bookshop Week?

Independent Bookshop Week aims to celebrate these indie shops and all they do for their local communities, as well as raise awareness for them in a bid to support them and keep them going.

QUICK FACTS:

• Organiser: Books Are My Bag

• Location: UK and Ireland

• Price: £

• Value for money: £££££

• Open to: Anyone who loves independent bookshops

When is Independent Bookshop Week?

This year's Independent Bookshop Week takes place in between Saturday 14th and Saturday 21st of June.

How Can I Celebrate Independent Bookshop Week?

Here are some suggestions from Books Are My Bag:

• Find your local indie and shop with them during Independent Bookshop Week 

• Organise a Bookshop Crawl. Gather friends and family, plan your route and get shopping!

• Share your book purchases on social media tagging @bookaremybag and #IndieBookshopWeek

• Share the love of independent bookshops on social media and encourage your followers to shop local and shop independent

• Every bookshop will have their own way of celebrating Independent Bookshop Week so make sure you sign up for your local bookshop’s newsletter and follow them on social media to find out what they have planned

• Take part in the Big Book Club (2025 details will be shared soon!)

• Keep up to date with the campaign via the Books Are My Bag Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and X and follow #IndieBookshopWeek

• Get news about events and offers from your local bookshop straight to your inbox with National Book Tokens Discover. Visit the National Book Tokens site to search for your nearest shop and sign up!

How can I support independent bookshops if I buy books online?

Check out Bookshop.org. Every sale that takes place on this website supports independent bookstores.

You can choose a particular bookshop to support (they will have to be registered, though), or you could just buy from the Bookshop.org's main store and a percentage of the sale will go to the profit pool that is shared in between registered stores. You can even buy gift cards and redeem National Book Tokens here. Find out how the profit is shared with the stores.

Bookshop.org are also running their own events during Independent Bookshop Week. On the 14-15 June they will be giving away a £250 gift voucher. They are currently offering free shipping for orders over £25, but on the 21-22 June they will also ship orders for free for every purchase.

Shop at Bookshop.org

Do you have a favourite indie?

I'm attracted to bookshops like a moth to flame; and I'd love to know if you have a favourite. Log in and become a member to leave me your comments on any indies I should visit.