I run a 30-year-old bookstore. Here's how I've kept sales rising for 4 straight years.

Kandi West is the co-owner and general manager of WordsWorth Books.

Katie Adkins for BI

• About 1,500 new indie bookstores have opened over the past five years.
• To grow, WordsWorth Books has revved up its online shop and added more in-store events.
• WordsWorth's sales have increased about 7% a year since 2022.

Kandi West has always been a huge reader.

With a background in information technology project management, West began working part-time at WordsWorth Books in 2020...