Eslite Spectrum, Taiwan's largest bookstore chain, "will be closing two stores in New Taipei and Taichung as part of its ongoing efforts to recalibrate its business strategies," Taiwan News reported. The store located in Taichung's Beitun District, which opened in 2022, is being transformed into an exhibition space and will reopen February 24. The New Taipei store in Linkou will permanently close February 29, according to CNA.
Eslite's decision to close these locations "is part of its strategy to maintain a dominant presence in Taiwan's reading scene by operating both large and smaller outlets," Taiwan News noted, adding that better to cater to customer preferences, Eslite "will adjust its selection of books and other merchandise. For instance, the Songyan and Ximen branches will focus on products that appeal to tourists, who make up 30% to 40% of their customer base, per China Times."
As part of its expansion plans in Taipei, Eslite aims to establish at least one community store in each of the city's 12 administrative districts. The company said it has received expressions of interest in collaboration from both public and private sector organizations. The company recently relocated its 24-hour bookstore to the Songyan branch in Xinyi District, near the Taipei Dome.
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| photo: Saint Laurent | |
Saint Laurent has opened Saint Laurent Babylone at 9 Rue de Grenelle in Paris. Robb Report noted that the French fashion house, which just launched a new flagship on Champs-Élysées, has now opened "a chic new bookstore on the Left Bank" that is "a mecca of art, music, literature, and, of course, fashion."
With a minimalist, art gallery-like aesthetic, the store features a collection, curated by Saint Laurent's creative director Anthony Vaccarello, that "includes everything from photos by British artist Rose Finn-Kelcey to books published by Saint Laurent itself. Some tomes on offer are so rare that white gloves are required for handling," Robb Report wrote.
The store also offers "an enviable selection of records that are no longer being pressed"; Leica cameras; chocolates made in collaboration with pastry chef François Daubinet; prints by Juergen Teller; brass skull sculptures; and an assortment of YSL merch, including pens, lighters, and cups. Saint Laurent Babylone will double as an event space.
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In other bookish fashion news, Turkish bookseller Umit Nar is being sued by French luxury goods maker Hermes for alleged trade name infringement. AFP (via France24) reported that Nar, who owns Hermes Sahaf in the Aegean coast city of Izmir, "argues that he has been in business for 15 years and never once been mistaken for a French luxury goods maker."
He contends that the name of the ancient Greek god of trade belongs to everyone: "Hermes, Zeus or Santa Claus belong to the cultural heritage of humanity. No company should be able to monopolise these names, which are anchored in our collective memory."
In December 2021, when he applied to register his bookstore's name as a trademark, the move was noticed by the French company's office in Turkey, which petitioned TurkPatent and the courts to halt the trademark registration. It also sought to prohibit the owner from using the name "Hermes" in its commercial and online activities. The first hearing in the trial was held last month, and a second has been scheduled for March 27.
Nar is arguing his case through a social media campaign, with the ultimate goal of drawing attention of the brand's Paris headquarters. "If I had opened a shoe or textile store with the name Hermes, it would be understandable, but our fields are so different," he said. "Hermes sells luxury leather bags for thousands of euros, and I am selling second-hand books worth 15 Turkish lira (45 cents). The argument that we can be confused is ridiculous. It's also an insult to the intelligence of their clients." --Robert Gray