How a Local Bookstore Used a Rare-First Model to Beat Amazon

Small Business Success with Fexingo: Local Companies, Main Street Stories, and Community Commerce · Jul 13, 2026 · 8m · transcript

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how a small independent bookstore in Portland, Maine, called The Novel Neighbor, survived and thrived against Amazon by adopting a 'rare-first' inventory strategy. Instead of stocking bestsellers, they focus on signed first editions, out-of-print classics, and local authors. Owner Sarah Jenkins shares how this approach increased foot traffic by 40% and boosted margins to 55% — far above the industry average. The episode dives into the economics of scarcity, the power of curation, and why a smaller selection can actually drive more sales…