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Wishlist Demand

See exactly what books your customers want through BookWish's wishlist demand feature. Stock what people are asking for, not just guessing.

What is Wishlist Demand?​

Wishlist demand shows you which books customers who have set your store as their "home store" have added to their wishlists.

How It Works​

  1. Customers choose you - They set your store as their home store
  2. They wishlist books - Add books they want to their wishlists
  3. You see aggregated demand - View all wishlisted books in one place
  4. You stock accordingly - Add books customers actually want

The Power of Home Stores​

When customers set your store as their home store:

  • They're saying "this is my bookstore"
  • They want to buy from you
  • They're invested in your success
  • Their wishlists guide your inventory

Why This Matters​

Traditional Inventory Challenges​

The Old Way:

  • Guess what customers might want
  • Stock based on publisher recommendations
  • Hope bestseller lists reflect local taste
  • Overstock or understock frequently

Problems:

  • Money tied up in slow-moving inventory
  • Missing what customers actually want
  • Customers go elsewhere
  • Wasted shelf space

The BookWish Approach​

Data-Driven Stocking:

  • Know exactly what people want
  • See how many want each title
  • Stock with confidence
  • Build customer loyalty

Benefits:

  • Better inventory turnover
  • Happier customers
  • Less wasted capital
  • Stronger community connection

Accessing Wishlist Demand​

From the Shop Tab​

  1. Open the BookWish app
  2. Navigate to Shop tab
  3. Tap Wishlist Demand in the menu

This opens the Customer Demand page.

What You'll See​

Demand List: Each entry shows:

  • Book cover image
  • Book title and author
  • Number of customers who want it (e.g., "5 wanted")
  • Your stock status (e.g., "3 in stock" or "Out of stock")
  • Quick access to book details

Sorting Options:

  • By Demand (default) - Highest demand first
  • Alphabetically - By book title

Filtering Options:

  • Show All - Every wishlisted book
  • Out of Stock Only - Books you don't currently have

Understanding the Data​

Demand Count​

"5 wanted"

  • 5 different customers have this book on their wishlist
  • These are your home store customers
  • Real people interested in buying from you

What It Means:

  • Strong indicator of local interest
  • Not national sales data
  • Specific to your community
  • Actionable information

Stock Status​

"3 in stock" (Green)

  • You currently have copies available
  • Customers can buy now
  • Good position to satisfy demand

"Out of stock" (Red)

  • You don't have any copies
  • High priority for restocking
  • Missing sales opportunities

Combining Demand and Stock​

High Demand + In Stock = Great

  • You have what customers want
  • Sales likely
  • Keep stock replenished

High Demand + Out of Stock = Opportunity

  • Strong signal to restock
  • Guaranteed interested buyers
  • Priority purchase

Low Demand + High Stock = Review

  • Maybe overstocked
  • Consider pricing adjustments
  • Watch for slow movement

Low Demand + Out of Stock = Low Priority

  • Not urgent to stock
  • Limited local interest
  • Focus elsewhere

Using Wishlist Demand for Stocking​

Prioritizing Purchases​

When ordering new inventory:

High Priority (Order First):

  • 5+ customers wanting the book
  • Currently out of stock
  • Book is readily available
  • Reasonable price from distributor

Medium Priority:

  • 2-4 customers wanting the book
  • Out of stock or low stock
  • Part of regular orders

Low Priority:

  • 1 customer wanting the book
  • Already have some stock
  • Can wait for next order cycle

How Many to Order​

General Guidelines:

5+ customers want it:

  • Order at least the demand quantity
  • Add 2-3 extra for walk-in traffic
  • Example: 5 wanted → order 7-8 copies

2-4 customers want it:

  • Order demand quantity + 1
  • Example: 3 wanted → order 4 copies

1 customer wants it:

  • Order 1-2 copies
  • Conservative approach
  • Test local interest

Adjust Based On:

  • Book popularity (bestseller vs niche)
  • Price point (expensive books = fewer extras)
  • Shelf space availability
  • Reorder lead times

Special Considerations​

New Releases:

  • Demand builds as release approaches
  • Check weekly for increasing interest
  • Pre-order when possible
  • May want extras beyond wishlist count

Backlist Titles:

  • Steady demand indicator
  • Safe to order conservatively
  • Reorder as needed

Seasonal Books:

  • Holiday demand spikes
  • Summer beach reads
  • Back-to-school titles
  • Order ahead of season

Communicating with Customers​

While BookWish doesn't currently notify customers automatically, you can:

Social Media Announcements​

When You Stock Demanded Books:

Just restocked based on your wishlists!
📚 Title 1
📚 Title 2
📚 Title 3

Thanks for telling us what you want! #shoplocal

Benefits:

  • Shows you listen to customers
  • Drives immediate traffic
  • Builds community
  • Encourages more wishlist use

In-Store Signage​

"Stocked by Request" Section:

  • Highlight books from wishlist demand
  • "You asked, we listened!"
  • Makes customers feel heard
  • Encourages others to wishlist

Personal Outreach​

For high-value customers or rare books:

  • Call or email when book arrives
  • "We got the book you wishlisted!"
  • Reserve a copy for them
  • Exceptional service builds loyalty

Best Practices​

Regular Reviews​

Weekly:

  • Check for new high-demand books
  • Add to upcoming orders
  • Monitor stock status

Monthly:

  • Comprehensive review
  • Analyze trends
  • Adjust stocking strategy
  • Clear out low-demand stock

Combine with Other Data​

Wishlist Demand + Sales Data:

  • What's wishlisted AND selling
  • What's wishlisted but not selling (price? awareness?)
  • What's selling but not wishlisted (walk-in traffic)

Wishlist Demand + Publisher Info:

  • Upcoming releases with building demand
  • Publicity campaigns affecting local interest
  • Award announcements

Wishlist Demand + Local Events:

  • Author visits
  • Book clubs
  • Local news
  • School reading lists

Encourage Home Store Selection​

In Store:

  • Signage explaining home stores
  • Staff mention it to customers
  • Benefits explained
  • Easy to set in app

Marketing:

Make us your home store and we'll stock
what YOU want! Set [Store Name] as your
home store in the BookWish app.

Benefits to Promote:

  • "We'll stock what you want"
  • "Help us serve you better"
  • "Be part of our community"
  • "Support your local bookstore"

Respond to Feedback​

When Customers Ask:

  • "Do you have [book]?"
  • Check wishlist demand
  • If multiple customers want it, prioritize
  • Tell them it's on order

Follow Through:

  • Actually order requested books
  • Keep customers updated
  • Let them know when it arrives
  • Build trust and loyalty

Filtering and Sorting​

By Demand (Default Sort)​

Shows highest demand books first.

Best For:

  • Quick identification of priorities
  • Planning orders
  • Seeing trends

How to Use:

  1. Open Wishlist Demand page
  2. Top items = highest priority
  3. Focus on out-of-stock high-demand

Alphabetically​

Sort by book title A-Z.

Best For:

  • Finding specific books
  • Browsing by genre (if titled similarly)
  • Cross-referencing with other lists

How to Use:

  1. Open Wishlist Demand page
  2. Tap filter menu (slider icon)
  3. Select "Sort Alphabetically"

Out of Stock Only​

Filter to show only books you don't currently have.

Best For:

  • Focused restocking
  • Order planning
  • Identifying gaps

How to Use:

  1. Open Wishlist Demand page
  2. Tap filter menu
  3. Select "Out of Stock Only"
  4. See only books with 0 quantity

Combine With Sorting:

  • Out of stock only + sorted by demand
  • Shows which out-of-stock books to prioritize

Understanding Your Community​

What Wishlist Demand Reveals​

Reader Preferences:

  • Genre interests in your area
  • Fiction vs non-fiction ratio
  • New releases vs backlist
  • Price sensitivity

Demographics:

  • Young adult readership
  • Academic community
  • Genre enthusiasts
  • Casual readers

Trends:

  • Seasonal shifts
  • Emerging interests
  • Declining categories
  • Local culture

Adapting Your Inventory​

Double Down:

  • Stock more of what's demanded
  • Expand successful categories
  • Build reputation in niche areas
  • Market your strengths

Pivot Away:

  • Reduce low-demand categories
  • Clear out slow-moving inventory
  • Reallocate space and capital
  • Focus on what works

Common Questions​

How many customers need to set me as home store?​

Even a handful of engaged customers provides valuable data. As your home store community grows, the data becomes increasingly reliable.

What if demand seems unusual?​

Wishlist demand reflects your specific customer base. What works nationally may differ from local preferences. Trust your community's signals.

Should I stock everything that's wishlisted?​

Not necessarily. Consider:

  • How many people want it
  • Book availability and cost
  • Shelf space
  • Your overall strategy

Use it as a guide, not a rigid rule.

How often is demand data updated?​

Immediately. When a customer adds a book to their wishlist, it appears in your demand view instantly (refresh your page to see).

Can customers see that I'm viewing their wishlists?​

No. Demand is aggregated and anonymous. You never see individual customer wishlists, just total counts.

What if I don't have any home store customers yet?​

Focus on encouraging customers to set you as their home store. Market the benefits, explain the system, and make it easy.

Success Stories​

The Power of Demand Data​

Scenario 1: Local Book Club

  • 8 customers wishlist same title
  • You order 10 copies
  • Sell out within days
  • Book club members become regulars

Scenario 2: Emerging Author

  • 3 customers wishlist debut novel
  • Not on your radar
  • You order 5 copies
  • Discover strong local interest
  • Author does signing later

Scenario 3: Seasonal Trend

  • Winter: 6 customers wishlist gardening books
  • You order for spring
  • Ready when demand hits
  • Beat competitors who order too late

Next Steps​

Need Help?​

Questions about wishlist demand?