30-year-old secondhand book store survives against the odds

NOT too long ago, you could easily come across people reading a physical book on the train or bus. That is a rarer sight today, with almost everyone busy tapping away on their mobile phones or some other electronic device.

Not only do brick-and-mortar bookstores have to deal with declining patronage, they also have to compete in a world with alternatives such as e-books, and local and international e-commerce platforms that deliver books right to one's doorstep.

Mohd Noorul Islam, the 69-year-old owner of ANA Book Store, is one who acknowledges these disruptive challenges in front of him as he tries to keep his business going for as long as possible, despite seeing profits decline in recent years.

The bookshop, which has been operating at Far East Plaza since 1992, primarily sells second-hand books and only serves walk-in customers.

Connecting with people

ANA is among the local businesses being supported by StarHub as part of the telecommunications company's Small Business Day - an annual initiative to help firms with fewer than 20 employees.

The scheme sees StarHub commit S$6 million worth of marketing support for a year to help business owners drive sales and advertise their services to a wider, stay-at-home audience.

"Secondhand bookstores don't make much money," said Islam. "Sure, it was better in the past, but I am not too concerned about it. I make enough to cover the rental, and just a bit more for pocket money."

He added: "My business is more of a social service, a goodwill effort to help customers who want to get good quality books at a lower price."

ANA's secondhand books go for between S$2 and S$12 each, while newer books are priced at about S$18. The shelves stock a wide range of children's books, adult fiction, comics and novels.

When asked why he did not set up a website to cater to the Internet crowd, Islam said he prefers to interact with his customers in person.

"That's one key reason why I still run the store. I like to recommend books and have conversations about them.

"I even have coffee or tea with some customers just to chit chat."

Over the years, he became fluent in 5 different languages - Malay, Tamil, Hindi, Bengali and English - after talking to customers.

Serving readers

His customer range includes students, workers in the Orchard Road and Central Business District areas, and tourists.

Visiting ministers, judges and lawmakers who stay in hotels in the vicinity have also patronised his store, said Islam.

"They see my books as collectibles, or rare items. You can get new books anywhere, but I sell classic and rare books you can't find elsewhere easily," Islam said.

"People say my store is like a 'book supermarket' and they can find almost everything they are looking for."

One of the oldest books he has is The Struggle for Singapore, about Singapore's late founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. The book, written by Alex Josey, was published in 1980.

ANA's roots date back several decades. Islam's father ran a bookstore at Bras Basah Road called Modern Bookstore. After his father passed away in 1965, Islam - just 12 years old at the time - took over the running of the business with guidance from his grandfather.

When the pre-war shophouse where that store was located was demolished in the early 90s, he moved to Far East Plaza, where he has remained ever since.

"As long as my hands and legs work, I'll carry on working at ANA and serving the readers of Singapore," he said.