The unexpected arrival of the COVID-19
epidemic in 2020 has deeply affected the stressed-out bookstore industry in
Shanghai. To survive the epidemic and its aftermath, many physical bookstores
are searching for innovative ways to save themselves. It’s reported that some bookstores
have attracted a lot of sales by combining online and offline services.
Due to the impact of the epidemic, more and
more people are choosing to shop online. In light of the change in people’s consumption
habits, Shanghai Xinhua Media set up an online book delivery channel on Ele.me,
one of China's biggest online food delivery platforms in April. Later, in early
July, Xinhua Media started delivering books on Meituan, a large-scale delivery
platform as well. The “take-out” service allows customers to order their books
like food.
“The food delivery platform is now being
turned into a lifestyle platform, which is favorable to the development of book
delivery,” said Jiang Li, deputy general manager of Xinhua Media.
Besides developing online delivery
platforms, many bookstores have started to provide special lending services for
readers. The Changning district branch store of the China Publishing Bookstore previously
announced that people can borrow 12 books per year using the store’s card,
which costs 98 yuan annually. In addition to best sellers, newly published
books including Hanzawa Naoki and Physics Is A Hexagram are also available.
Cui Junyou, deputy general manager of
Zhongban Store, said that sellers have tried many innovative approaches to develop
new business models and boost sales. On the opening day of the Shanghai Book
Fair, Zhongban Store will set up a new branch in far-flung Fengxian District.