I have very fond memories of Foyles in Charing Cross Road, London, and spending hours trying to find a book because they were displayed by Publisher and not subject and then trying to pay for the book, which was so convoluted, that a lot of people gave up, I did a couple of times.

I also managed to buy The Children of Hurin, one week before publication from this store

This all changed a long time ago, but they are now part of Waterstones.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-45446899