Australia lost more than half its independent bookshops over the past decade, a contraction that threatens reading culture and local economies. The closures stem from competition with online retailers, rising rents, and shifting consumer habits toward digital reading.

Europe offers workable solutions. France implements a fixed book price system that prevents deep discounting and protects physical retailers from predatory pricing by e-commerce platforms. Germany enforces similar protections through resale price maintenance laws. These frameworks stabilize bookshop revenues without blocking consumer access to affordable books.

Australia's government faces a choice. Without intervention, the consolidation will accelerate, leaving readers dependent on major chains and online monopolies. Local bookshops anchor neighborhoods, host author events, and curate selections—services algorithms cannot replicate. They employ thousands directly and support publishing ecosystems by creating venues for new authors.

Policy levers exist. A fixed book price mandate would standardize retail pricing across channels, preventing Amazon and other online retailers from undercutting physical stores on bestsellers. Tax incentives for landlords who lease to independent bookshops could ease rent pressure. Government could also expand public library funding, which complements rather than cannibalizes bookshop sales in countries with strong retail sectors.

The economic argument for bookshops extends beyond sentiment. France's fixed pricing model preserved 3,000 independent bookshops while maintaining literacy rates above Australian levels. Germany's retail book market remains robust. Both nations recognized that cultural infrastructure requires deliberate protection.

Australia's publishing industry generates AUD 3.5 billion annually. Much of that depends on bookshops moving inventory and building reader communities. Loss of retail presence weakens author discovery, especially for debuts and niche titles that major chains won't stock.

The closure wave reflects a broader policy failure. Without rules governing digital platform behavior, dominant retailers extract value from the industry while contributing little to its sustainability. European