Pandemic leaves bookshops in a bind

 Click HERE

'O' level students note the catchy title via the word 'bind' (associated with books)

But for most bookstores, online gains have not been enough to make up for lost footfall. 

many senior customers still prefer to browse in person.

A bookstore owner's biggest enemy is rental,

"We cannot go fully online...Our customers, old people especially, want to walk around Bras Basah Complex, look at books and have tea downstairs. They need this sense of community."

"It's like (athletic shoe brand) Nike. You can get its shoes online, but it still needs to have a physical store so you can try them on before you buy."

the digital landscape can allow us to reach more people.

Qn: To what extent is online shopping a blessing? (TJC Prelim 2020)