Japan’s Tsutaya Books Co., the operator of a video rental, bookstore and café fusion-style chain, is planning to open an outlet in Chengdu, central China.
The book retailer, an affiliate of Culture Convenience Club Co. (CCC), a Tokyo-based culture and entertainment service group, “has formed a business alliance (with a local company), but we can’t provide any detailed information,” Tomoki Nonaka, a CCC group spokesman told NNA earlier this week.
Local media in Sichuan Province reported last Thursday that Tsutaya Books has signed a contract on a strategic alliance with Chengdu Rail Transit Group Co., which operates a subway system in the city. The Japanese firm intends to open a Tsutaya Shoten and Tsutaya Bookstore in the capital of the central province.
The former bookstore brand targets middle-aged and senior people, while the latter aims to draw younger customers in Japan, according to Nonaka.
Tsutaya Investment (Shanghai) Co., a group arm of CCC established in February, also plans to open a store in both Hangzhou and Shanghai but the initial schedule is being reviewed due to the spread of the coronavirus in mainland China, according to the spokesman.
