I took this photo on the way to work yesterday morning. The signs in this bookstore window say “Sale” and “50% on all odd articles.” They’re referring to remnants for which the set is incomplete.

If you look carefully, you can see the posters and pamphlets for the “Oui Au Livre” campaign to vote in favor of regulated book prices in the upcoming referendum.

According to the text of the law put to vote [pdf in French], retailers would be able to offer customers a maximum discount of 5% on single items. Collections of related works may benefit from unlimited discounts, but it doesn’t say anything about odd volumes or special sales.

Ironically, if the referendum passes, 50% sales like this may become a thing of the past unless specifically authorized by publishers.

It’s hard for me to understand how anyone will ultimately benefit from this short-sighted attempt to preserve an industry struggling to find its future amidst fundamental changes in technology and consumer behaviors.

Previously here:

Oui Au Livre? Swiss Referendum On The Regulation Of Book Prices
Single Price: An Arm And A Leg