Popular Bookstore: Evolving into an Omni-Channel Retailer

In 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, Chou Cheng Ngok, CEO of Popular Holdings Limited, a local multiproduct bookstore in Singapore, wanted to develop an omni-channel retail strategy to make up for the loss of foot traffic at the store. The book industry was already changing rapidly due to digitisation. Books became available on electronic readers and the advent of e-commerce gave online retailers a cost advantage over brick-and-mortar stores when it came to rental expenditure and sourcing from the cheapest distributors located anywhere in the world.

While many local bookstores went out of business, Popular had managed to succeed by understanding the needs of its target audience. For instance, students and their parents would buy tuition materials to supplement the official curriculum in an effort to excel in Singapore’s competitive education system. Popular also sold other ancillary products such as stationery and electronic gadgets. As brick-and-mortar stores continue to lose market share to online retailers, Chou wanted to implement an integrated omni-channel approach to provide a better experience for consumers.

This case can be used to teach concepts related to competitive strategy and omni-channel retail strategy. In analysing the case, students will be able to learn about issues faced by the book industry, apply the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to determine Popular’s competitive position, and examine strategies used by traditional retailers and e-commerce players to meet changing consumer needs.

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