The popularity of online bookstores is threatening the survival of many private small- and medium-sized bookshops in Chinese cities. Apart from a campaign, "saving physical stores", launched by public figures, many Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee members have also urged the government to take steps to ensure that bookstores stop pulling down their shutters regularly, says an article in Changjiang Daily. Excerpts:

Unlike shops selling other goods, physical bookstores play the important social role of passing down knowledge and culture to younger generations.

Besides reducing tax, the government should also take other steps to support and encourage the development of such bookstores.

Online bookshops are thriving because they offer low prices and delivery service. People can buy almost any book sitting at home. No wonder, even people who loved visiting bookstores to browse through their choicest titles before buying the ones they liked the most have become used to purchasing books online.

Physical bookstores have their advantages. For example, they offer the choice of feeling a real book rather than just the chance to see the cover and read a few introductory lines.

But they can also offer lower prices, sales promotions and better service, and organize readers' club and other activities to attract more booklovers. And a citywide delivery service could make it more convenient for readers to buy books from them.

Some private bookstores could also establish a sales alliance to accept joint orders to reduce costs and issue joint-name membership to increase their influence and counterbalance the advantages of online bookstores.

(China Daily 01/19/2012 page9)