Times have changed

Whatever happened to Times Bookshop at Centrepoint? I headed there after work last week to get wrapping paper and was quite surprised to see that its retail space has shrunk, drastically. It used to occupy two floors but now it's almost one-fifth of its erstwhile size, or maybe even smaller. I'm not sure if it's going to be shifted to the new extension of Centrepoint or that is the permanent state; heck, i didn't even realise it has downsized! If the change is permanent, i think it's a matter of time before the current minuscule retail space gives way to something else. The location of Times Bookshop, both in Orchard Road and within Centrepoint, simply does not favour good business. With Borders and Kino as the dominant players, other bookstores are just going to find it extremely hard to increase their market share. Methinks Times Bookshop lacks a core identity and brand appeal - so important in today's business - to win over more customers.