For Pierre Cerfontaine, the manager of the l’Oiseau-lire bookstore, these costs are good news for independent bookstores: “I think pfor those whowho come to buy in bookstores or for those who can travel, it will cost less to come to us than to buy on the Internet“, he rejoices.

Nevertheless, notes the bookseller, this measure should not change things for people who do not have easy access to a bookstore. For them, delivery is essential, which will increase the cost of their order.

Still, delivery via an independent Belgian bookstore will be more competitive, with prices that might approach the e-commerce giants.

Our bookstore pays taxes and VAT in Belgium. With the Covid crisis, we had a lot of new customers who thought regarding their way of buying.

At similar prices, Pierre Cerfontaine sees two aOther arguments for Belgian booksellers: the local fabric which is favoured, and taxes which go into the coffers of the Belgian State. “Our bookstore pays taxes and VAT in Belgium. With the Covid crisis, we had a lot of new customers who thought regarding their way of buying. With a competitive price, we may be able to snag more“, hopes the trader.

The French decision therefore seems to have been taken favorably by the sector, but booksellers fear the tax reform of Minister Van Peteghem (CD&V), who wants to raise VAT on books from 6% to 9%.

A decision which would have the effect of losing the competition that Belgian booksellers might gain thanks to the French decision according to Pierre Cerfontaine: “I don’t even know what we’re going to do if the VAT is increased since we get our supplies in France. Either we will have to sell the books 3.5% more expensive than in France (where the VAT is 5.5%, editor’s note.), which will favor Amazon. Either take 3.5% on our margin, which means the end for many bookstores”.