The Bookstore

ProHub Comment

This is a structured market entry case that tests candidate understanding of profitability analysis, market sizing, and strategic decision-making. The case provides detailed financial exhibits and customer data, requiring candidates to synthesize information across multiple dimensions including cannibalization risk, competitive positioning, and investment return calculations.

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’s revenue has stagnated for the past 3 years, with a stable and loyal customer base. Now, as part of its new growth strategy, CB is considering whether to enter the electronic books market.

The client is considering to sell a CB branded reading device and develop a website to sell e-books for it.

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 largest cities in 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 on CB’s new website.
  6. CB has no specific growth rate in mind and are open to suggestions from us.