no major chain book store in some markets

Commerce Something which hasn't been mentioned in the UK media as far as I can see. Borders USA has now gone into receivership too.  Our version went to the wall last year for reasons ably described in Paul Carr's article.  The paragraph which gave me pause is this:

Now, with (US) Borders out of the way, leaving absolutely no major chain book store in some markets (including San Francisco, which had three Borders but no Barnes and Noble), the independents have a real opportunity to push back.

Assuming there are independents left in the market place.  It occurs to me if Waterstones goes to the wall, apart from a couple of used book shops and charity shops, there aren't any independent book shops in Liverpool.  Unless I've been entirely oblivious News From Nowhere will be the only independent book shop in the city centre.