Bookstores in Malaysia reinventing themselves with lifestyle offerings

Besides books, there is everything from art galleries to boutique cafes that are helping to lure the crowds

Tan Ai Leng

Published Sat, Aug 27, 2022 · 05:50 AM

The 31,000 square feet Tsutaya Book’s has over 264,000 books, magazines, stationary and various merchandise from Japan as well as an art gallery space. Tsutaya Books
Long queues of at least 50 people could be seen on every weekend outside Tsutaya Books – an uncommon scene for bookstores in Malaysia. TAN AI LENG, BT
Many visitors were amazed by the number of merchandise that displayed in Tsutaya Books. TAN AI LENG, BT
The first Tsutaya Books in Malaysia and also in Southeast Asia, is built based on Tsutaya’s concept of “cultivate lifestyle and culture”. Tsutaya Books
One of the popular spots in BookXcess. TAN AI LENG, BT
The Tsutaya Books outlet at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, about 17km away from Kuala Lumpur City Centre, has attracted thousands of visitors during its opening on July 7 this year. TAN AI LENG, BT
Malaysian Booksellers Association president Keith Thong said: "The lifestyle element is a game-changer to the industry as it could attract consumers, especially those who don't read physical books." TAN AI LENG, BT
BookXcess managing director Andrew Yap said: “Making books part of people’s life is the first step to cultivate reading habits.” BookXcess
BookXcess at Sunway Big Box in Johor Baru. BookXcess
Every BookXcess store has a different design and unique selling points that could attract consumers’ attention. TAN AI LENG, BT
A piano placed in the centre of one of the BookXcess outlets, inviting music lovers to show their talents. TAN AI LENG, BT
BookXcess has 17 stores in Malaysia, the company plans to add another 5 stores this year and next year, including one in Singapore. TAN AI LENG, BT
BookXcess is working with developers and mall operators in a profit-sharing to turn bookstore into a space for community. TAN AI LENG, BT
The 31,200 square feet BookXcess outlet in MyTown Shopping Centre is filled with over 170,000 books, displayed on towering shelves on stoned walkways. TAN AI LENG, BT

WHEN Singapore-based Times Bookstores shut its last physical outlet in Malaysia this May, it marked the end of another brand name in the industry as more bookstores have in recent years either gone out of business completely, or moved their operations fully online.

Times Bookstores - which at one point had at least 5 stores in Malaysia’s Klang Valley - is among those that now only sells its books and other offerings on its online platform. Over the years, several major retailers such as Borders and MPH have also scaled back on their operations.

Between 2018 and June this year, a total of 97 bookstores have shuttered in Malaysia, according to data from the Malaysian Booksellers Association (MBA), which has more than 100 members operating around 2,000 bookstores across the country.

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