Eslite opens first overseas store

Taiwanese bookstore chain Eslite has expanded outside its home market for the first time, opening in Hong Kong.

The store, located inside Hysan Place mall in Causeway Bay, has a retail space of 41,000 sqft over three floors, making it the largest bookstore in Hong Kong. It also includes a teahouse, music and video boutique, art gallery, coffe shop and event room.

The store will operate 24 hours on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays while other days of the week will operate on regular business hours.

“Hong Kong is like a second home to me and I hope the new shop can help Hong Kongers show their friendly natures to each other,” said Eslite founder Robert Wu.

Hong Kong will serve as an entry point to mainland China, where it plans to open a store in Suzhou in 2014.

“Hong Kong is our first overseas store and we count on it for reference in adjustments and fine-tuning,” said Hsieh Shu-ching, Eslite’s planning manager for the mainland.

Founded in 1989, Eslite has 48 branches in its home market.

Meanwhile, Eslite’s entry to Hong Kong has prompted local bookstore operators to increase business competency. Bookstore chain Commercial Press, which operates 15 bookstores in Hong Kong, has refurbished its Causeway Bay branch and increased the selection of English-language books.

GB

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