Book fair vendors expect drop in sales after typhoon
Organisers extended the opening hours of the book fair on Monday, from 9am to 11pm. Photo: RTHK
Book fair exhibitors say sales will be affected after Typhoon Wipha hit Hong Kong on Sunday, despite organisers extending opening hours on Monday.
The fair at the Convention and Exhibition Centre was closed on Sunday due to the typhoon, but it opened earlier than usual on Monday with closing time pushed back to 11pm.
The Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks, which take place alongside the book fair, also started earlier at 9am, and extended opening hours to 10pm.
A publisher surnamed Ng told RTHK that Monday's extra opening hours would not make up for Sunday's closure.
'Without Sunday, I think it'd be definitely a bit affected so we hope to keep the same flow these two days,' she said.
Ng said her company is going to offer more discounts to attract customers.
A publisher surnamed Lam said this year's sales would drop by at least 10 percent.
'Our business will be affected for almost one day sales volume, but because we are looking forward today and tomorrow, so until now we cannot predict how much of a loss this year, but I think at least 10 percent,' she said.
Lam said extending the opening hours helps, as some people can visit the fair after work.
A visitor surnamed Cheng said extending the opening hours would benefit both publishers and customers.
'Definitely, because I think a lot of businesses lose the business opportunities yesterday and I think it's better for them to have that kind of compensation and also better for us as consumers to have extended hours,' she said.
Another visitor, surnamed Wong, said she believed the arrangement would not be much help to exhibitors.
'Honestly, I'm not sure if this is helpful because it's a Monday, right? And people work, so I'm not sure if it would make a big change,' she said.
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