More stores covering magazines

[Western All Stars]

Magazines and books wrapped in plastic bags or with rubber bands around them have recently become a common sight at convenience stores. Such packaging is apparently aimed at preventing customers from browsing through books and magazines instead of buying them, but those measures are rarely taken at bookstores. Why do convenience stores need to take this action?

Daily Yomiuri

I noticed the 7-11 near my house started doing this. I admit it's sometimes annoying wading through the crowd.

[Yokohammer]

I have never really understood the J-perspective on this.

On the one hand you have innumerable visual references (cartoons, movies, etc.) to the bookstore keeper hovering around someone who's obviously reading in the store, flicking a duster around as a "hint" that freeloading isn't appreciated, but I've also heard that convenience stores tolerate it as a "draw" into the store. Most convenience stores place the magazine rack right in front of the store's main window, or at least in a spot that's clearly visible through the main window, the theory being that passers-by will see lots of people in the store (freeloading) and be enticed to enter.

Maybe that's changing.

[wuchan]

The one near my local station is used as a warm place to wait for the bus/family member pick up. Many people never buy anything. When I first came to japan I would laugh every time I saw people reading in the combini. Back home you have a 7-11 minute limit in 7-11 after which the clerk says something like "WTF? you gonna buy anythin'?"

[Taro Toporific]

As a 31-year-old man living alone, I buy many daily necessities at convenience stores. But I cannot browse my favorite magazine any more because it is covered in a clear plastic bag...

wipe on -- wipe off

[Catoneinutica]

wipe on -- wipe off

Heh. I usually just unwrap the book/magazine on those rare occasions when I feel sufficiently motivated. I've certainly done it at the Shibuya Tower Records a few times, and none of the hipsters at the counter has ever said anything. If anyone does ever object, I'll say, but, my friend...in my country it is considered normal to do such a thing!

-catone
-Tower Records, the staff: mostly hip
-Tower Records, the company: majority-owned by the MOF - squaresville, daddy-o!

[Kanchou]

Having to make my way through a crowd of freeloaders in Book Offs (this is a book store, not a library, for f*cks sake) really annoyed the hell out of me...

I'm glad to see the companies are getting a bit more proactive about stopping the tachiyomi.

[sillygirl]

7-Eleven...

Go in.

Take a piss

Get thanked for it on the way out...

[omae mona]

7-Eleven...

Go in.

Take a piss

Get thanked for it on the way out...

Ah, sounds like you didn't notice the video camera the store manager hid up in the ceiling tiles.

[Behan]

Having to make my way through a crowd of freeloaders in Book Offs (this is a book store, not a library, for f*cks sake) really annoyed the hell out of me...

I'm glad to see the companies are getting a bit more proactive about stopping the tachiyomi.

The Book Off near where I live is as you describe it, too. I wouldn't be surprised if most of those people leave the store without buying anything.