Today-Apr 5
During the Covid-19 circuit breaker period, content creator Natalie Tan ordered five or six books “every other week” from Book Depository, as it was the cheapest online bookstore and going to the library was not an option at the time. “Book Depository helped me survive the pandemic,” she said. In interviews with TODAY, the readers called the impending loss “heartbreaking” and “tragic”. Some thought it may have been a belated April fool’s day prank.
Founded in 2004, the United Kingdom-based bookseller started with the aim of offering for sale more than six million titles covering a wide variety of genres and topics.
Initially regarded as a rival to Amazon, Book Depository was acquired by the global giant in 2011 and run as a separate entity. British news outlet The Guardian reported that the decision to close Book Depository came as part of wider cuts outlined by Amazon in January in its devices and books businesses owing to an “uncertain economy”.
Popular among book lovers and book publishers, Book Depository has long been celebrated for its affordable pricing and its wide catalogue. “I was definitely shocked when I heard the news, and at first I thought it was an April Fool’s joke!” said office worker Nicole Goh, 25. Ms Goh said that she was an avid reader and had often used Book Depository to find books she couldn’t source locally. She added: “It definitely made books accessible for many people and I’ll miss it a lot.” Ms Tan Min Young, 22, told TODAY: “I’ll miss Book Depository because they offer many books with various choices of editions and covers at very affordable pricing with free international shipping to my doorstep. Without them, I think I’ll rely more on libraries and reduce my buying.” Read more at:
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/spore-customers-lament-book-depository-closure-2145206
