Bookstores in China seem facing a cold winter. They have disappeared one after one. Recently, a famous bookstore "Fengrulin" near Peking University stopped running. Previously, "The third Pole Bookstore" was shut down in Beijing. Besides, Sanlian Book Center has cut operation area so as to cut cost.
On the contrary, online bookshops seem embracing a spring. With bigger discount and rapid delivery, more and more bookshops are booming and attract an increasing amount of customers.
How can the tangible bookstores survive the fierce market competition? Will there be any bookstores around in ten years? Maybe Taiwan provides us an example of future bookstores.
Some bookstores have achieved great success in Taiwan. They do not only sell books, but also promote ideas and culture. Combining with authors, artists and publishers, they hold a series of cultural activities such as lectures, exhibitions, dialogues, etc. Besides buying books, customers can trace the latest cultural fashion and communicate with other people. These activities can not be copied by online bookstores.
Crisis not only means danger, but also opportunities. Will bookstores grab the chance of transfomation and return with a new look? Let's wait and see.
