The impossible battle of bookstores in China under quarantine...

The impossible battle of bookstores in China during the COVID-19 outbreak. Earlier this week OWSpace, a trendy Chinese bookstore chain, issued a heartfelt plea to its erstwhile customers, begging them to help keep the business afloat by buying store spending cards.

Zhongshuge bookstore | Yangzhou

“During this arduous time for everyone, it is our hope that every person and every bookstore will finally walk out from loneliness and embrace the spring,” OWSpace wrote.

The post was widely circulated and supported on Chinese social media, with the well-known actor Yao Chen sharing it to her 83 million Weibo followers. Many companies in retail sectors are balancing at the verge of bankruptcy the isolation remains in place for weeks or a few months more. Sales have been dropping 80-90% for many non-food retailers for 1-1.5 months now.

Zhongshu Bookstore | Xi’an

Creative marketing and sales have been sought for survival; from book delivery services with tasty cakes and live streaming book reading and discussions to a ‘book surprise’ services where customers can express their feelings and the store will select a book matching their current mood.

Zhongshu Bookstore | Chongqing

Despite the strong e-commerce sector in China, bookstores have seen a great revival during the past decade with a new breed of fashion designed, highly modern bookshops popping up in commercial districts in cities across the country, providing spaces for relaxation, refreshment, and cultural exchange. Many of these stores have attracted loyal fan followings and become worthy hot spots.

Yanjiyou bookstore | Xi’an

Despite the strong e-commerce sector in China, bookstores have seen a great revival during the past decade with a new breed of fashion designed, highly modern bookshops popping up in commercial districts in cities across the country, providing spaces for relaxation, refreshment, and cultural exchange. Many of these stores have attracted loyal fan followings and become worthy hot spots.

YJY Maike Centre flagship bookstore | Xi’an

#books #culture #china #covid2019 #chineseretail Source sixth tone