实体书店的出路在何方?

With a cup of coffee, a piece of music, and a book, you're set to enjoy a cozy winter afternoon in a bookstore. Nowadays, more bookstores in Beijing are offering additional services for consumers, such as coffee and events.

One consumer says when the bookstore provides coffee, she wants to buy a book and sit down reading. Another says she likes to read books in the cozy environment

Wu Yanping, salon designer of a private bookstore says their bookstore is not just about selling books.

"We're in the business of publishing. We also provide other products such as bookmarks and bags. If possible, we want to produce CDs. These are all possibilities from which we can make profit. The products you provide should be diverse."

Traditional book sellers such as the Beijing Book Building in Xidan have also been providing more than just books in recent years. Qin Hui is deputy manager.

"We also provide other products, including digital gadgets, gymnastic products, toys and so on, so as to meet different demands of customers."

From privately owned bookstores to big book superstores, they're all affected by fierce competition in the market. Competition from online shopping means many bookstores have to change their business model. Wu Yanping again.

"Bookstores should not only sell books, or coffee, they should form a public platform to encourage young people to relax and talk. I believe this will be the future development trend of private-owned bookstores."

Nowadays, more private bookstores have created coffee lounges or organized events where readers can meet authors.

Qin Hui from Beijing Book Building says the future bookstore should be defined as a diverse cultural industry rather than simply retailing. Experts say bookstores play an important role in ensuring social responsibility, so the government should have preferential policies to support them.

For CRI, I am Zhang Wan.