Have you ever considered doing your holiday shopping at your local car wash or deli? Believe it or not, if you’re searching for the perfect book, you just might find it there. More and more business owners are catching on to a new trend  that’s pairing certain literary titles with common places of business. This could be just what publishers are looking for to capture new audiences--according to the Association of American Publishers, book sales fell 2.6 percent in August.

Publishers are finding that outside of a bookstore, titles have less competition and are seen as a way to complete a package--for example, books that complement an item are displayed next to it. Publishers hope to sell more books this way by reaching out to people in the environment they are shopping in, as opposed to a Barnes & Noble or Borders.

With the holidays right around the corner, this could be the right time for you to introduce a few titles into your business. If you own a pizza parlor, why not bring in a book on Italy or Chianti? A flower shop could display books on wedding bouquets or centerpieces for holiday parties. The possibilities are endless, so get creative and find out what your customers are interested in this holiday season!