Bookstore chain Eslite plans to open 100 stores in Taiwan within three years, with one store planned for China in 2024, according to media reports on 12th August.
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From the beginning of the third quarter, the Taiwanese retailer plans to open smaller community stores within its native market by 2024. The company also plans to open an Eslite bookstore in China in 2024, Eslite chairperson, Mercy Wu, told shareholders at a meeting last week, as reported by Taiwan News.
In addition to the small-format stores, Eslite said it is planning to open its largest store ever in the New Taipei City district of Xindian. Slated to bow in late 2022 or early 2023, the flagship store will be housed in Yulon Towns, a commercial centre developed by carmaker Yulon. Wu also hinted at another considerable project unveiling for 2024 but declined to comment.
Exact locations and dates for the upcoming store rollout were not disclosed.
The retail store announcement comes after a tumultuous 12 months for the bookstore company, where it shuttered several of its stores, coinciding with the coronavirus pandemic and its consequent social distancing restrictions.
In 2020, Eslite shuttered its Dunnan location, a 24-hour bookstore, transferring its round-the-clock concept to its Xinyi store. Last month, Eslite said foot traffic at its Xinyi location was down 90 percent drop since Level 3 restrictions were put in place, forcing the business to reduce its hours. On 5th July, the flagship closed for the day for disinfection after a salesperson tested positive for Covid-19.
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Looking ahead, Eslite still plans to open its first store in Malaysia in 2022. Making the announcement in late 2020, it will be the retailer’s first location in Southeast Asia.