SOME independent bookstores have moved online in an attempt to weather the Covid-19 pandemic.

A few have not opened their physical stores despite the government relaxing movement-control restrictions, while some are taking customers only by appointment.

One store making the shift to cyberspace is Lit Books, which was affected when book distributors and warehouses were closed by the movement-control order (MCO), cutting off its supply.

“As a brick-and-mortar store, we of course rely heavily on customers walking in to purchase our books. Not being able to open the store has seen us deprived of our main source of income,” said Lit Books co-founder Elaine Lau. 

Lau and her husband, who opened their bookshop in 2018, eventually decided to set up an online store when they realised that they would not be able to withstand the impact of the MCO.

“We didn’t have a concrete plan for an online store, but we had to completely rethink that when the MCO was implemented. Within a week of the MCO being put in place, we managed to set up a basic online store.”

The shop at Tropicana Avenue in Petaling Jaya serves customers on an appointment-only basis daily, including public holidays, except Monday.

Lau said during the MCO period, their landlord gave them a discount on rent.

The couple did consider closing down Lit Books for good. 

“It’s something the two of us talked about, and we were prepared to have to come to terms with it. We’re thankful that we can still carry on.”

Another independent bookstore, Bookalicious, has survived the challenging economic climate by going online. 

“The MCO has not really affected our business as we have invested in an e-commerce platform, and it paid off during the MCO,” said one of its directors, Leon Ngai.

“We have our customers to thank for supporting indie bookstores like ours to navigate this difficult period.”

The MCO did not affect Bookalicious’ sales much, but he still fears for the shop’s future.

“This is unprecedented and a very unfortunate situation. There are a lot of factors we need to cope with, like a gloomy economy and unfavourable exchange rates, besides the competition.”

Bookalicious’ physical store remains closed and business will continue to be transacted online as the company monitors the situation, he added.

But, not all independent bookstores are able to make the transition online.

Reader’s Paradise in Ampang Point has closed after struggling for some time.

Owner Harjeet Sidhu, 62, told The Malaysian Insight that the pandemic and MCO were the final straw.

“I was already thinking about closing, but it was not until the pandemic and MCO happened that I truly decided on its closure,” said Harjeet, who took over the business with his wife six years ago as a passion project.

The shop is about 20 years old.

“It was my wife’s idea (to take over and) run the shop with love and passion, so much so, we transformed the bookstore.” 

He said customers had dwindled over the years.

“I couldn’t fulfil my obligations where rent is concerned, and the number of visitors had also greatly decreased.

“I’m guessing it is due to a lack of interest in reading, and also the availability of digital information.

“Operating a bookshop is not easy as it comes with its own set of challenges, one of which is not having many customers and readers.

“It’s very sad. It’s sad for our whole family. All of us are feeling down, especially my wife.”

Reader’s Paradise is looking to dispose of stock with store-wide discounts. Interested buyers may call Harjeet at 012-3938-350. – June 22, 2020.