OPINION, REFLECTIONS

End of Times in Singapore

Quick thoughts on the closure of bookstores and importance of supporting Singapore writers

Thank goodness my books are still available at Kinokuniya in Singapore. Photograph by writer.

Bookstores have been closing left, right, and centre in Singapore. The English-book retailer, Times Bookstores, closed its last bookstore at Jelita Shopping Centre at Holland Road, on 22 September 2024.

This marked the end of a presence in Singapore that had lasted more than 40 years.

Earlier this year, Times had already closed its Plaza Singapura and Waterway Point branches.

Bookstores in Singapore often face weak sales, low foot traffic, and — especially for Singapore writers — low demand.

In fact, homegrown bookstore and arguably one of the biggest supporters (and creators) of SingLit, Epigram Books, also announced that it would cease operations of its Epigram Coffee Bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM), come January 2025.

This announcement came three short days after Times announced that it was shutting down its last outlet.

According to the Straits Times, Epigram Coffee Bookshop cited low sales and foot traffic. And as I stated earlier, relatively low demand for local writers.