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The Bookzone in Ackerman invites students to spend down time relaxing and reading in the store, e

When the fifth Harry Potter book hits stores in June, it might work some needed magic for declining Bookzone sales.

Bookzone, which sells non-textbooks in the UCLA Store, has experienced a drop in sales since 1999 – the year when the original Harry Potter made sales skyrocket.

Since then, there haven’t been any true bestsellers, said Keith Schoen, UCLA Store director.

Bookzone sales, which constitute 5 percent of total store sales, have dropped 11 percent this year. Last year, sales peaked at $2.7 million.

Schoen also attributed the lackluster sales to a sagging economy. He added that Bookzone is going through the same ordeal as bookstores across the country.

“We’re pretty much experiencing the general economy,” Schoen said.

Compared to the rest of the country, the Associated Students of UCLA’s 11 percent drop in Bookzone sales is modest.

Book sales across the country dropped by 20 percent from the previous year for the 2002 holiday season, according to USA Today.

“Just in general, books aren’t selling as well they have in the past,” Schoen said.

Though book sales aren’t anticipated to increase next year, Schoen said Bookzone won’t be downgrading – they will continue to carry over 40,000 titles.

Chain stores such as Barnes and Noble and Borders give customers a wider selection of books, and students have a tendency to flock to the larger book venues, said Student Union Director Jerry Mann.

“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to compete against those big boxes,” Mann said.

David Hakimfar, a third-year history student, said he prefers Borders over Bookzone because they have a wider selection and a better return policy.

To remain competitive with surrounding book retailers, ASUCLA implemented its READ program in September 2002, where subscribers receive a 20 percent discount on their purchases. A one-year membership costs $20.

In addition, the Internet – the Voldemort of the bookstore world – is also to blame for the drop in book sales, Mann said.

He said mailrooms on campuses across the nation are experiencing an explosion of packages of items bought online.

“They’re purchasing them online; you don’t have to pay a sales tax, you might as well have them delivered here,” Mann said.

But for many students who make their purchases online, the Internet hasn’t prevented them from just browsing through Bookzone.

UCLA students can be found lounging around the couches, reading books and magazines, but not making purchases.

Tiffany Graybill, a second-year sociology student, said she likes going to Bookzone in between classes to read the books and magazines.

“I like it. It’s nice when you have a break to read and a lot of things to look at,” she said.

Graybill added that though she’s gone into Bookzone several times with the intention of making a purchase, she has never bought anything.

Even with Bookzone suffering a drop in sales, Schoen said students are not obligated to purchase anything – ASUCLA is in favor of students simply reading and relaxing.

ASUCLA has enhanced the area, and added extra lighting, he said.

“Sure, we want to sell books, but we also want to do other things,” he said.

Extra lighting is one thing, but Hakimfar said Bookzone could have a more sociable setting reminiscent of other retail book stores.

“They need a coffee shop,” he said. “The book store lacks personality. It needs to be a place of hangout for students.”