Why bookshops are booming in the TikTok age
Summary
Independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland are growing in number, reaching 1,086 stores in 2025, the highest since 2012. This rise is partly linked to social media platforms like TikTok, which encourage young people to buy and share books.Key Facts
- The number of independent bookshops in the UK and Ireland rose from 867 in 2016 to 1,086 in 2025.
- New booksellers often work long hours and face challenges learning to run a retail business.
- Some new bookshops are started by people with no previous retail experience but strong community ties.
- Social media, especially TikTok, has helped boost book sales, with £175m spent on books influenced by the platform in 2025.
- Nearly half of young adult TikTok users reported buying books after seeing them on the app.
- Bookshops serve as community hubs where people share their love of reading and connect with others.
- Despite growth, some bookshops struggle with high rents and have turned to crowdfunding to stay open.
- The trend shows younger people collecting physical books as trophies and enjoying sharing their reading on social media.
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