Rejoice, bibliophiles! One of the world's most beautiful bookstores is coming to Malaysia and Tatler has the inside scoop
Tsutaya Books is a cultural phenomenon and internet sensation for its minimalist architecture complete with a spectacular selection of books stacked from floor to ceiling. With more than 1,400 outlets in Japan, Taiwan and China, the Japanese lifestyle bookstore chain is finally adding its first Southeast Asian destination to its roster: Malaysia.
Launching in the second quarter this year at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, the new 31,000 sq ft bookstore is on a mission to cultivate culture and lifestyle by offering a wide selection of books across all genres as well as a curated collection of handpicked designer items, merchandise and stationery. It will also feature a lifestyle café and double as an event space for Japanese art exhibitions and immersive events or workshops.
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We speak to Hideyuki Uemoto, CEO of Tsutaya Books Malaysia, and Dato’ Joyce Yap, CEO of Retail at Kuala Lumpur Pavilion and retail planner of Pavilion Bukit Jalil about this exciting new bookstore.
Tsutaya Books is a beloved name globally. What is its special quality?
Hideyuki Uemoto (HU): We're more than just a bookstore. Tsutaya Books is a lifestyle and way of being. We're creating a space for our guests to discover, explore and be inspired as a community through books, merchandise and memorable experiences.
Each Tsutaya Books carries a distinct personality and offers a different concept. No two stores are alike. Tsutaya Books in Pavilion Bukit Jalil aims to cultivate culture and lifestyle, especially among young families in the surrounding areas. We hope to create a space that will evoke curiosity and encourage exploration for Malaysian families and children who love books, design, and art.
See also: 6 Beautiful Bookstores to Know in The Klang Valley
Why did Tsutaya Books choose Malaysia as its first Southeast Asian destination?
HU: With the goal of cultivating culture and lifestyle, Tsutaya Books’ first store in Southeast Asia needed to reach the right shoppers. Studies have shown that Malaysia has a high proportion of lifestyle-centric consumers with steady spending power. According to a survey by the Ministry of Finance Malaysia in October 2021, the country experienced a GDP growth rate of 5.5 to 6.5 per cent per annum, and Malaysia is ranked third among ASEAN countries in terms of GDP per person in 2021.
For these reasons, we gauged Malaysia to be aligned with our expansion goals internationally.