KEY POINTS

  • The Petersfield Bookshop became an instant hit after an employee Tweeted that they have not sold a single book 
  • The bookstore amassed more than 300 messages  and had over £1,000 worth of online orders after the Tweet vent viral
  • Acclaimed fiction writer Neil Gaiman also shared the Tweet

What happened to The Petersfield Bookshop that made it an overnight Twitter phenomenon only showed that a single Tweet – provided its good intents and purposes – can turn things on their right perspectives.

The Petersfield Bookshop employee Robert Sansom Tweeted earlier this week that the bookshop had not sold a single book that day since it was established.

“...Tumbleweed... Not a single book sold today... £ 0.00... We think this may be the first time ever...

“ We know its miserable out but if you'd like to help us out please find our Abebooks offering below, all at 25% off at the moment...,” he said on his Tweet.

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Samson, who Yahoo! Style said has been with the bookshop for 13 years, accompanied it with photos of the store.

Little did he knew that his Tweet would touch the hearts of bookworms around the world.

Sansom's Tweet was retweeted over a thousand times. Its original Tweet alone amassed more than 8,000 retweets and 16,000 likes.

In fact, the Tweet even reached critically acclaimed fiction writer Neil Gaiman, who also shared Sansom's post.

The bookstore also received more than 300 messages inquiring about books overnight, and had over £1,000 worth of online orders from book lovers all over the world, added the website.

After the instant Tweet, a followup post was uploaded that thanked its followers, both old and new.

They also thanked Gaiman for the orders that they have received “as a result of the Gaiman bump,” said BBC.

“We have lots of big plans for the future, on how to expand and grow, we just need to get there first,” said managing director John Westwood.

At the same time, Westwood said that he still believe in the bookstore industry, but modern-day factors are slowing them down.

“ Online ordering and Amazon has hit us hard. I've had to sell my flat to keep the store afloat and most evenings sleep on a camp bed in the shop,” expressed Westwood.

Westwood continued to praise book lovers, saying that they are “very special people.”

“ Books are special things and nothing beats going into a bookstore. Seeing them, touching them, smelling them – it is a special place,” he said.

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