MPH Bookstores is preparing to launch a concept store at SingPost Centre in Paya Lebar, just two months after the firm closed its last shop in Singapore.

The 1900sqft new MPH store – expected to open in November – is a modest re-entry to a market it originally opened in back in 2006 with a store more than three times as large. Its Raffles City outlets closed in September due to an inability to meet high rentals.

“The closure of (the Raffles City and Parkway Parade) stores was solely due to commercial reasons,” said group CEO Donald Kee to The Straits Times on the new MPH store. “We are moving forward to establish new concepts by adopting new retail technologies.”

“We would like to reassure all our customers and business partners that MPH is still very much in the game. We still believe in the retailing of books and our passion in curating the best selection for our customers is still intact,” he added.

MPH is expected to move forward with smaller concept stores carrying a large percentage of lifestyle products, snacks, beverages and services alongside its book offerings.

“With the new approach, we hope to re-establish MPH’s brand in Singapore and excite our current as well as new customers,” said Kee.