The Shopkeepers: Storefront Businesses and the Future of Retail

　　推翻線上購物，匠人夢想商店大逆襲！全球特色實體店鋪背後的故事與獨創品味，溫馨登場。
 
　　在線上購物稱霸世界的氛圍裡，開設一家實體商店，看似是一個大膽的舉動。然而從維也納到溫哥華，如今處處都有新店開設，小商店正在經歷一場重生，再一次崛起為一個充滿機會的商業模式。
 
　　好商店依然存在，事實上，數量還在不斷地增加。無論是擁抱創新概念而開設的新店，或是代代相傳的老店，店主用個人品味裝飾這些特色小店，再加上講究的商品與服務、原創的室內空間、創新的購物經驗以及友善的顧客服務，遠遠將枯燥乏味的線上虛擬購物經驗拋在腦後。
 
　　從理髮店、裁縫店、文具行到咖啡廳，這些特色商店就是這些匠人實踐夢想、大展職人道之所在，也呈現他們對生活的美好想像。商店涵蓋各行各業，有些隱身在人跡罕至的地方，也有些就位於大城市的精華地段。《The Shopkeepers》帶領讀者遊歷這些創意店家，除了領略店主背後獨特的小故事，也一窺這些特色商店獨有的多樣性及創意。(文/ 博客來編譯)
 

　　In the age of online shopping, opening a store and becoming a shopkeeper seems like a bold move. Yet from Vienna to Vancouver, storefronts are emerging once again as worthy opponents to commercial corporations. Customers embrace individual businesses that share the distinctive knowledge, personalities, vision, and humor of their owners.
 
　　Whether brand new and based on innovative ideas or passed down for generations and revamped, the stores and their shopkeepers featured in this book stand out for the singular experience they provide to their customers and the personal selection of items they sell. The Shopkeepers celebrates the diversity and creativity of brick-and-mortar businesses, telling the stories of the shops and their unique owners.
 
　　More About This Book
　　
　　Good stores still exist. In fact, their number is growing. Well-designed specialty shops that are inspired by the small manufacturers and mom-and-pop operations of the past are now sprouting up. These outlets are defying e-commerce and anonymous online shopping with outstanding products, original interior design, innovative concepts, and, first and foremost, friendly and competent customer service.
 
　　The Shopkeepers explores this new store culture through examples such as barber shops, fish smokeries, tailors, and milliners, as well as retail spaces specializing in stationery, hardware, buttons, home décor, or coffeemakers. They can be found off the beaten track as well as in the hearts of major cities from Vienna to Vancouver. The book makes it clear that they are all driven by the passion that their founders and operators have for their business ideas and products, whether vintage eyeglasses, textiles from India or China, specialty books, soaps, olive oils, or tropical fish. While some shops are based on innovative ideas, others are reinterpretations of traditional family businesses.
 
　　The Shopkeepers introduces the personalities behind these exciting retail concepts. Many have been running their shops for years but are only now being recognized by a new generation of consumers for their acumen, integrity, and knowledge—from shoemakers who truly understand their craft to culinary experts who can differentiate between 200 types of chocolate or cheese with their eyes closed. Some are such interesting characters that the chance to interact with them is reason enough to attract potential customers.
 
　　A celebration of the diversity and creativity of brick-and-mortar businesses, The Shopkeepers tells compelling stories of singular shops and their unique owners.