A pop-up bookshop called Book Hero is claiming a first in Dubai, as the first ever ‘trust’ bookshop. The unmanned store puts trust in the fact that those who love books do not steal and therefore the bookshop will be unmanned with no support staff.
The pop up bookstore at Marina Walk, Dubai is a must for visitors to the city and will be there until the end of May. Sadly there are no staff to help if you need assistance, and that’s because the whole concept runs on public trust.
Book Hero has 20,000 books in stock and relies on a payment drop box called ‘The Trust Box’ making it the regions first unmanned bookshop. All the customer has to do is choose a book, drop the money into the box and carry on with their day.
Book Hero is owned by Montserrat Martin who partnered up with Emirati entrepreneur Mohammed Abdulla Alqubaisi to come up with the idea. The pair believe in customer trust and Martin told Gulf News that “We don’t employ staff because we trust our customers. I visit the place once a day to replace stock and collect the money.” She also stated that he didn’t believe anyone would steal a book, and is hoping this pop up bookshop will prove it.
To ensure customers don’t miss the staffing aspect, pricing is done simply. All books are tagged with green and yellow stickers, indicating that they cost either 10 dirham, or 20 dirham and that rounded pricing should make things easier for customers.
Most of the books available at Book Hero are in English and Arabic although there’s also a selection of Chinese, Spanish, French and Russian books making the story a one world destination for bookworms.
What do you think of the idea of a trust bookshop? Do you think this would work where you live? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
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