Although U.S. bookstores brought in $10 billion in 2019, this revenue does not accurately reflect the hardships that bookstores have endured. Between 2015 and 2020, the bookstore industry contracted 6.6%. This decrease did not occur due to decreased interest in reading; in fact, book sales increased 5% from 2019 to 2020. Instead, this decline stems from consumers increasingly turning to online book retailers for a quick and convenient shopping experience.
The COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated the move to online book purchases as more consumers stayed home, and some bookstores faced limitations on operations or outright closures. This shift emerged during a time when bookstores were already struggling.
If your bottom line has been impacted by any of these changes, small business loans for bookstores can help pull you in the right direction. Below, learn about low-cost funding options for your bookstore.
Funding challenges and opportunities for bookstores
Many small business owners, bookstores included, are facing significant economic challenges and are subsequently seeking funding. For example, many small businesses may not look for loans until they lose revenue, but it can be harder to obtain loans when your financials are not as strong. Furthermore, first-time business owners in all sectors -- bookstores included -- may have trouble securing a loan or funding.
Nevertheless, some lenders may believe that approving bookstores for small business loans may ultimately prove beneficial. This is largely due to the increase in reading frequency and reading physical books rather than e-books. In fact, a recent survey found that 65% of adults prefer physical books.
Many bookstores are also trying to keep up with online retailers by offering online shopping right through their own website – a trend that may continue long after the pandemic. As such, bookstores with plans to extend their online services may be more likely to turn a profit, thus providing lenders with an incentive to approve them. Below, learn about the various types of funding for which a lender might approve your bookstore.
Funding options for bookstores
SBA loans or non-government sources are both options for bookstores to secure small business funding. Rates and periods will vary for each small business loan, but the following guide should help give you a general overview of what to anticipate.
The SBA 7(a) loan program
Countless small business funding experts favor low-cost SBA 7(a) loans for bookstores over any other type of loan. Bookstores will benefit from these loans’ low rates, low monthly payments, and long terms. With SBA 7(a) loans, you can:
- Obtain Working Capital – The success of your bookstore is greatly dependent on working capital. Your working capital can be calculated by deducting your current liabilities from your current assets or determining how much cash is immediately available for your business. If you find that your working capital is negative, this means you must grow your assets. One way to accomplish this is by using your SBA 7(a) loan to purchase new equipment or hire additional employees.
- Consolidate Your Debts – SBA 7(a) debt consolidation loans can help you refinance your current small business loans. These loans apply to merchant cash advances, high-interest business loans, and weekly or daily payment loans as well as short-term business loans.
- Purchase Commercial Real Estate – If you’re thinking about expanding your bookstore by opening a new location or office, you can sort your owner-occupied commercial real estate purchases with your SBA 7(a) loan proceeds. Additionally, your current commercial real estate mortgages can also be refinanced with your SBA 7(a) loan.
Advantages of SBA 7(a) loans for bookstores
Almost all funding specialists say that SBA 7(a) loans are the “gold standard” for small business lending. SBA 7(a) loans are so highly valued because of their:
- Low rates
- 10-year terms (25 years for commercial real estate loans)
- Availability in all 50 states
- Wide use of funds
- Lack of prepayment penalties
- Affordable monthly payments
Requirements for bookstore owners to apply for SBA 7(a) loans
The below list of requirements must be met for you and your bookstore to obtain an SBA 7(a) loan:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Your bookstore must be based in the U.S.
- You must be at least 21 years of age
- Your bookstore must be at least two years old
- You must not have any foreclosures or bankruptcies in the last three years
- Your bookstore must not have any tax liens, recent settlements, or outstanding charge-offs
- You and your bookstore must be on-schedule with all government-related loan repayments
- Your personal credit score must be at least 650
Depending on which lender you choose, you may face some additional requirements. SmartBiz Loans, for example, does not insist on seeing business plans from its potential borrowers, whereas many lenders do impose this requirement.
How to apply for an SBA 7(a) loan for bookstores
Step 1: Certify that you and your bookstore meet all the requirements stated above prior to applying for SBA 7(a) loans. Read the SmartBiz Loans guide to SBA Loan Requirements for Existing Businesses to learn more.
Step 2: Gather all necessary paperwork and ask for assistance by reaching out to your bookkeeper, accountant, or another source of financial expertise. For additional information, visit the SmartBiz Loans Guide to SBA Loans.
Step 3: Use the below suggestions to aid you in your selection of a lender:
Reviews
Learn more about your lender by reading their reviews on Consumer Affairs, TrustPilot, and Google. Real reviews from actual customers can help you decide whether the lender will be a good fit for you and your bookstore. Check to ensure that the evaluations you’re seeing are written by legitimate borrowers, and try to find reviews from other bookstores – their experience will likely be most applicable to yours.
Availability
Regardless of whether your loan terms leave you confused or perfectly satisfied, you should be able to reach out and talk with your lending company. If you find yourself having difficulty reaching your lending representative via email or phone, this is a red flag – consider finding a new lender. Your designated representative should also be well-versed in the bookstore industry and the details of your application and business.
Transparency
Check your loan terms and agreement for explicitly stated APRs and interest rates. If these figures are hard to find or understand, your lender may be trying to avoid disclosing your loan terms in detail. Avoid frustration and hidden provisions that don’t satisfy your needs by knowing these figures right from the start.
Obvious loan terms
Your loan’s fine print should be easy to understand. Don’t be afraid to ask your lender about your potential payment amounts and frequency, prepayment penalties, collateral requirements, and total loan amounts – complex fine print often hides these and other unfavorable loan costs. Consider looking elsewhere for a loan if your lender gives you an unsatisfactory answer.
Fees
Loans almost always consist of interest fees and repayment, but having multiple additional fees can be worrisome. Should you find several extra fees in your loan, consider switching lenders. You should also double-check that all your loan fees are due during your loan’s lifetime and before your loan’s funding.
The SBA 504 loan program
The SBA 504 loan program can assist small businesses in securing low-cost modernization or expansion funding. Using the proceeds from your SBA 504 loan, you can upgrade your equipment, employ additional staff, and open an additional location for your bookstore.
SBA 504 loans can be incredibly advantageous if your bookstore aligns with the public policy goals of your local community development corporation (CDC). As much as 90% of your modernization and expansion costs may be covered by your SBA 504 and CDC (at most 50% from your SBA 504 loan and at most 40% from your CDC) should you be in this situation. Your only pressing obligation would be the out-of-pocket costs for the remainder of the project.
The SBA microloan program
Your bookstore can apply for the SBA Microloan Program if your company is a very small business (a.k.a. microbusiness) according to the SBA. Microloans, which are at most $50,000, can be used for all business costs except commercial real estate purchases and debt payments.
Non-SBA loans and other funding options
Although there are other options available for small business funding, SBA 7(a) loans are most likely your wisest choice. Alternatives to SBA 7(a) loans typically have higher rates, shorter terms, and larger payments. These alternatives include:
Bank term loans
Bank term loans can be an acceptable choice if your bookstore doesn’t qualify for SBA loans, as these loans can supply funding just as rapidly as can SBA loans. Both loan types allow for working capital purchases or debt refinancing, though their repayment terms, prepayment penalties, loan rates, and amounts vary. Contact your loan provider with any questions you have to learn more about these provisions.
Business lines of credit
Business lines of credit are typically lower than bank term loan amounts, and their maximum amounts are proportional to your credit score. Another distinction between business lines of credit and bank term loans: You are required to use all your funds with the latter. Additionally, only the latter calls for interest payments on your entire loan – you’ll only have to worry about paying interest on the portion of your business credit line that you use.
You can use your business line of credit as often as you wish until your funds run out. Business lines of credit seldom have the collateral requirements of other loans, making them potentially favorable for bookstores. To find out more, visit the SmartBiz Loans blog Small Business Lines of Credit Pros and Cons.
Business credit cards and business lines of credit may seem similar, but they are not interchangeable. For example, business lines of credit fully expire when maxed out, whereas you can resume using your business credit card as soon as you repay your loans. Additionally, business lines of credit don’t offer the spending rewards that many business credit cards provide. Read the blog Finding the Right Credit Card for Your Small Business via SmartBiz Loans for more information.
Merchant cash advances
If your bookstore welcomes debit or credit card payments, you will presumably be able to apply for merchant cash advances (MCAs). These loans allow you to repay your loan by setting aside a small portion of every single card transaction and incrementally sending these sums to your card provider. Traditional installment-based payment plans are also available upon request.
Although business owners may appreciate the convenience of MCAs, this ease can conceal MCAs’ exceedingly high APRs. For further details, read the SmartBiz Loans blog What You Need to Know About an MCA.
Why Choose SmartBiz?
Need funding to rebuild your business? Don’t waste time going from bank-to-bank filling out multiple applications. SmartBiz helps you find the best financing for your unique needs whether that’s an SBA loan, Bank Term loan, or other financing. About 90% of qualified applications we refer to banks are funded and our financial professionals are on hand to answer your questions. Discover if you’re pre-qualified here without impacting your credit scores** and read the SmartBiz 5-star customer service reviews on TrustPilot.
