Order inventory from publishers. Find telephone numbers for their sales departments in Books in Print, online or in the American Book Trade Directory. Negotiate for their wholesalers discount by committing to selling a certain number of copies and by buying books on a non-returnable basis. Buying non-returnable increases the discounts you can negotiate with publishers, thus increasing your profit.
Purchase or develop a computerized inventory control system. There are hundreds of inventory control systems available for warehouses. Choose one that's been specifically developed for booksellers, such as Wordstock, available from http://www.wordstock.com and IBID, available from http://www.ibid.com/.
Make sure inventory is entered when it's received and deleted when it has been shipped to buyers. Set points where inventory will automatically be re-ordered when your supply is low. Run weekly reports that show what is selling and what isn't, and make adjustments accordingly.
Develop methods for warehousing books that make it easy for employees to find inventory efficiently when pulling orders for bookstores. Create shipping areas that are supplied with boxes, packing peanuts and tape. Purchase scales that show accurate shipping costs for your customers.
Publish a catalog of your books. Make both paper copies and digitized copies available to your customers. Keep the catalog current by publishing a new one at least quarterly. Send out special supplements when new inventory arrives on a weekly basis. Include ordering information and a discount schedule.
Create a website. Display ordering and customer service numbers prominently. Keep the inventory on your website current by updating it daily. Offer your catalog for download and make ordering online simple with shopping cart technology that will keep a running total for the customer and give the customer a final tally including shipping charges and sales tax when appropriate.
Hire sales representatives to go to bookstores and trade shows. Provide them with catalogs and samples to leave with buyers. Place advertisements in trade magazines like Publisher's Weekly and at websites for media professionals like mediabistro.