The Hindu Business Line : Corner Bookstore plans to have 300 outlets

CORNER Bookstore Company (CBC) aims to have 300 stores in place in the next two-and-a-half years. So far, 28 stores have been opened, with 27 in India and one in Colombo.

Speaking to Business Line here at the inauguration of the fifth outlet in Chennai, Mr Gautam Ramchandani, Chief Operating Officer, CBC, said the idea behind these small-format bookstores was to create a cosy environment that would provide people a leisurely browsing experience, which is on the wane in large establishments.

The stores occupy an area of 150-500 sq. ft. CBC will take these stores not only to cities but also to smaller places with potential, said Mr Ramchandani. Most of the stores are company-owned.

Corner Bookstore will publish the first books of authors, Mr Ramchandani said, adding that the company wants to serve as a launch pad.

The stores will stock books put out by NGOs and small publishers. They will also have books in the local language and Hindi, apart from English.

Mr Ramchandani said regional language books did not have much front-end support and CBC seeks to make a difference in this regard.

About 10 per cent of the store's collection will be non-English books.

Ms Aditi Prakash, Brand Manager, CBC, said the stores would organise six to eight events, including book readings, launches, every month.