Hong Kong bookshop Cosmos finds promotion is key to survival in digital age
Bookshops need to employ fresh marketing strategies to compete against e-commerce rivals changing the industry with e-books and online sales
Book lover Terri Chan Kim-man has a head start on most when it comes to mixing business with pleasure. The deputy general manager of Cosmos Books needs to make time for a busy reading schedule, keeping up with emerging writers and potential bestsellers to help keep the tills ringing at the company's stores.
Established in 1976 by bookstore veteran Fong Chi-yung with about 10 other investors with a shared interest in promoting reading and culture, Cosmos Books has occupied the same site in Johnston Road for almost four decades.
The store stocks more than 100,000 titles in Chinese and English as well as stationery in the two-level, 16,000 sq ft space. The company has also opened a shop in Mongkok.
Chan, who joined Cosmos Books 10 years ago, brought in a marketing team with fresh ideas to help the bookstore promote writers and new books.
Her communications and promotional skills were honed by an earlier career in radio and then as a journalist covering Chinese art. Work at a parenting magazine saw her deepen her exposure to promotional activities - skills required as bookstores step up to the challenges brought by unprecedented change in the industry.
