TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Eslite Spectrum (誠品生活) reported book sales rose 3% to 9.3 million copies in 2025 despite a 10% drop in new publications across Taiwan, according to its 2025 Annual Reading Report released Tuesday (Dec. 9). Chairwoman Wu Min-chieh (吳旻潔) revealed revenue exceeded NT$25 billion (around US$804 million) this year. The bookstore chain targets continued growth in revenue, sales, customers, and repurchase rates for 2026.
Senior Director Wu Hui-fang (武慧芳) highlighted the success of Eslite's 24-hour Songyan (松菸) bookstore, which surpassed the previous Dunnan store in book volume and foot traffic. Foot traffic increased more than 10% at the flagship location compared to previous years. Eslite now operates 51 locations across Asia, with significant new stores opening in Tainan, Donggang, and Hengchun in 2025.
Wu Min-chieh announced plans to transition from pandemic-driven community stores to medium- and large-format stores offering richer customer experiences and more diverse product selections. The company plans to enter overseas markets as early as 2026, although specific details remain confidential for competitive reasons. The strategic shift reflects Eslite's post-pandemic expansion strategy beyond Taiwan's domestic market.
Eslite's inaugural Anime Festival in August featured 17 themed stores and events across Taiwan, Wu Min-chieh stated Tuesday. Light novel sales surged over 60% while membership among people under 29 increased 118% following the festival. The company plans to host more inclusive events targeting younger audiences as part of its demographic expansion strategy to diversify its customer base.