The Taiwanese bookseller intends to focus on and open smaller, community stores in its home market after a difficult period caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The move to shift its focus from large, destination-like stores to smaller, corner-store style outlets has been caused by a drop in tourists due to Covid-19 restrictions, which has made the larger stores unviable. According to Mercy Wu, Eslite’s Chairwoman, the brand will open 100 small-format stores, set to be rolled out with the next three years. One of these is set to open in China in 2024. Other stores outside Taiwan are located in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Suzhou.
The intention is that the smaller stores will help the bookstore retailer to reach and engage with customers in smaller communities where it was not accessible before.
Last year, the brand decided to close nine outlets in Taiwan including its very first 24-hour bookshop. Its mega store planned to launch in Kuala Lumpur next year has been delayed and is now more likely to launch in 2023 given the continued pandemic situation in Malaysia.
