THE BOOKSTORE

ProHub Comment

This case tests market entry strategy and financial analysis capabilities. The candidate must evaluate market opportunity, competitive positioning, profitability projections, and strategic fit while identifying key risks including cannibalization. Strong candidates will conduct structured market sizing, calculate returns on investment, and propose mitigation strategies for identified risks.

Estimated Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Medium
Source IESE
50 / 100

Our client, Classic Bookstore (CB), is a traditional bookstore chain in Spain, specialized in non-technical books. CB revenues have stagnated for the past 3 years, with a stable and loyal customer base. Now, as part of their new growth strategy, they are considering whether to enter the electronic books market.

The client is considering selling their own reading devices and developing a website to sell the e-books for this device.

Our client asked us to analyze this opportunity and provide a recommendation.

Clarifying Information

  1. CB only sells to customers through physical stores, no online business is available.
  2. CB has stores in the biggest cities of Spain.
  3. CB has 3 types of customers: AVID READERS (2 books/month), OCCASIONAL READERS (1 book/2 months) and RARE READERS (1 book/6 months).
  4. Non-technical physical book market in Spain has been stagnated for the past 3 years.
  5. CB has reached an agreement with an e-Reader manufacturer in China. Total cost per device would be 60€. These devices can only support the e-books sold in CB’s new website.
  6. CB has no specific growth rate in mind and are opened to suggestions from us.