The sudden closure of UK-based Book Depository has sent a shiver through the Australian literary scene. As one of Australia’s most popular book retailers, it has been a reliable and diverse source of books since its founding in 2004 by business partners Andrew Crawford and Stuart Felton.

Based in Gloucester, it gained an unusually high level of popularity in Australia, no doubt because Australia lost its domestic book giant Borders in 2011 with Dymocks remaining as the most notable retailer.

For those seeking a book outside the mainstream, Book Depository, with its 20 million titles, was the next click for Australian consumers.