How books have made a comeback during coronavirus lock-downs

The global COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to businesses across various industries, and the book industry has not been immune to the impact of the crisis. Gratten Kirk, CEO of Exclusive Books, shed light on the struggles and opportunities that the book retailer has encountered during the lockdown period in South Africa. Exclusive Books, like many other businesses, had to shut its doors during the level 5 lockdown imposed by the government, leading to a significant decline in turnover and a prolonged period of zero sales. However, with the easing of restrictions and the allowance to sell educational books under level 4 of the lockdown, Exclusive Books has slowly started to recover. Kirk highlighted that approximately 80% of their book inventory consists of educational and nature-related books, which enabled them to resume trading and generate some revenue once again. Despite the challenging economic environment, Kirk remains optimistic about the future of the book industry, citing a resurgence in book sales during the pandemic. He emphasized that books provide a sense of peace and tranquility for individuals seeking a break from excessive screen time, especially in a time when people are spending more time at home. Kirk also expressed confidence in the resilience of book authors, encouraging aspiring writers to continue their craft and produce content that resonates with readers. In response to the current economic uncertainties, Kirk highlighted the importance of maintaining cash flow and supporting the company's workforce to ensure business sustainability. Through innovative measures such as partnering with UberEats for book deliveries, Exclusive Books has adapted to the changing consumer behavior and leveraged technology to reach customers in new ways. The CEO emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptability in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic, highlighting the success of online sales and delivery services as a testament to the industry's ability to evolve. While acknowledging the tough road ahead, Kirk remains committed to overcoming obstacles and serving the reading community with quality content and engaging literary experiences.