Q&A: Half Price Books Bucks Store-Closing Trends With Experiential Retail

Much of what one hears about in the retail real estate industry nowadays is store closures, so it’s refreshing to learn about a company actually opening more locations. One of them is Half Price Books, which is doing so in a sector of retail that has gotten hammered over the years by Amazon and digital media.

The Dallas-based retailer, founded in 1972, currently operates 124 units in 17 states and has openings planned in Cincinnati; Vernon Hills, Ill.; and Wichita, Kan. The chain is also scoping out sites in Atlanta, Nashville and other cities...