Independent Bookstores Continue br to Do Well in the US According to Quartz, sales have increased slightly every year since 2013. The number of U.S. locations also went up 35 over a recent six-year stretch. Effective marketing on social media is a big reason why they are doing well. Popular hashtags like #bookstagram have led people to travel to their nearest store to not only make a trending post br but also pick up a book or two. On the flip side, independent booksellers also say too much br digital media is helping sales, saying people are looking to books br as an escape.