Singapore's book retail landscape has undergone a profound transformation in the twenty-first century. Where once a handful of large chains, MPH, Popular, Borders, Kinokuniya, dominated the Orchard Road and heartland mall corridors, a new wave of small, owner-operated bookshops has emerged, each with a distinct personality and a fiercely loyal clientele. This article looks back at the factors that spurred the rise of independent bookstores in Singapore, the challenges they faced, and the community infrastructure, from library partnerships to book swap events, that helped sustain them.

The Golden Age of Chains and the First Shock (1990s, 2010)

For much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Singaporeans bought books at a handful of major retailers. MPH Bookstores, founded in 1884 but by the 1990s operating large outlets at Raffles City and Junction 8, offered a broad range of general titles. Popular Bookstore, a homegrown chain founded in 1924, dominated the school-textbook and stationery market. In 1997, the Japanese giant Kinokuniya opened its flagship store at Ngee Ann City, bringing a vast English-language selection and a dedicated manga and anime section. Borders arrived in 1997 at Wheelock Place, offering coffee-shop seating and an extensive magazine wall.

At their peak, these chains accounted for an estimated 80% of new-book sales in Singapore. Independent bookshops were few and far between, mostly second-hand dealers like Best Secondhand Bookshops or niche specialty outlets such as Select Books (specialising in Asia-related titles), which opened in 1975. Lending libraries, notably the NLB library card guide illustrates, were free and well-used, but the feeling that book retail was a chain-dominated monopoly was widespread.

The first shock came in 2011, when Borders closed all its Singapore stores after its parent company filed for bankruptcy in the United States. The 29,000-square-foot Wheelock Place outlet, once a bustling social hub, emptied overnight. For many readers, it was the first sign that even large book retailers were vulnerable. In the years that followed, MPH downsized its outlets and closed several locations, including its iconic Raffles City store in 2015. Popular, too, retreated from general-interest bookselling, focusing instead on textbooks and stationery.

The Void and the First Independents (2011-2017)

The departure of Borders and the shrinking of MPH created a gap in the market for reading spaces that were not purely transactional. Into that gap stepped a handful of entrepreneurs who believed that a bookshop could be a cultural destination. Littered with Books, opened in 2012 by three friends at Duxton Hill, became the prototype. It stocked new and used literary fiction, poetry, and art books, and hosted readings, launches, and small gatherings. Its founder, Nicole G., told The Straits Times in 2013 that she wanted to create “a space where people can discover books they wouldn’t find on a bestseller table.”

Around the same time, BooksActually, founded in 2005 by Kenny Leck, was quietly building a reputation as the city’s premiere independent literary bookshop. Originally located at SilverWings on Telok Ayer Street, it moved to Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru in 2009, and by 2015 had become a destination for Singaporean literature, small-press titles, and handpicked international works. Leck’s approach was personal: he read almost every book in the store and wrote handwritten recommendations. The shop also published its own titles through its imprint, Math Paper Press.

These early independents faced steep operational costs. Retail rent in central locations such as Duxton Hill and Tiong Bahru ranged from $8 to $15 per square foot per month, making margins razor-thin. Many owners subsidised their stores with second jobs or online sales. Yet they survived, and in some cases thrived, by cultivating a devoted following through events, social media, and word of mouth.

By 2016, the independent bookstores guide listed more than a dozen indie shops across the island, from the curated shelves of Woods in the Books (specialising in children’s picture books) to the used-book stacks of Basheer Graphic Books, which had been operating at Bras Basah Complex since 1985.

How the NLB and Community Initiatives Supported the Ecosystem

One often-overlooked factor in the rise of independent bookstores was the concurrent strengthening of Singapore’s public library system. The National Library Board (NLB) expanded its digital offerings through the borrowing ebooks from NLB service, making e-reading accessible to all. But crucially, the NLB also began to collaborate with indie bookstores. It hosted events at its branches featuring indie authors, and some bookstores, such as Littered with Books, participated in NLB’s “Library in the Park” pop-ups.

Community-driven book exchange programmes also encouraged physical book ownership. The community book exchanges and book swap events Singapore became monthly fixtures at locations like The Grassroots Book Room (a nonprofit Chinese-language book exchange at Bukit Merah) and the Little Book Café at Evans Road. These events not only redistributed books but also built networks of readers who were more willing to spend at indie shops.

Furthermore, the NLB’s interlibrary loan service allowed patrons to request books not held locally, reducing the pressure on bookstores to stock every conceivable title. This paradoxically helped independents: customers could borrow obscure titles from libraries, then decide to buy favourites from indie shops.

The Second Wave: Curated, Hybrid, and Community-Driven (2018-2023)

By 2018, the indie bookstore movement had matured into what some observers called a “second wave.” These shops were no longer just places to buy books, they were hybrid spaces incorporating cafés, co-working areas, and event venues. The Moon, a bookshop-café in Joo Chiat, opened in 2017, offering locally roasted coffee alongside a carefully selected shelf of poetry and small-press fiction. Epigram Books, though primarily a publisher, opened a retail space at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) in 2014, combining its own titles with a curated range of international books.

Perhaps the most visible symbol of this wave was the opening of Bras Basah Complex’s Book Bridge in 2019, which brought together three independent bookshops, Basheer Graphic Books, Books Actually, and the second-hand specialist Secondhand Bookshop Reviews, under one roof for a three-month pop-up. The venture was supported by the Singapore Tourism Board and the Urban Redevelopment Authority, signalling official recognition of bookshops as cultural assets.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 delivered a severe blow to many brick-and-mortar retailers, but independent bookstores adapted quickly. They launched online stores, offered contactless delivery, and began hosting virtual author events. Surprisingly, sales of physical books rose during the circuit breaker period, the NLB reported a 40% increase in book loans in April 2020, and indie shop owners noted a similar uptick in purchases. The pandemic also prompted a shift in consumer behaviour: readers wanted to support local businesses and discover books beyond algorithm-driven recommendations.

By 2022, the number of independent bookstores in Singapore had grown to an estimated 30, including new entrants like Huggs-Epigram Coffee Bookshop (a collaboration between Epigram Books and Huggs Coffee at the URA Centre) and Cat Socrates, a lifestyle boutique that expanded its book selection. Even chain stores began to adopt indie tactics: Kinokuniya opened a “Local Authors” section in 2021, and Popular launched a curated “Discover” shelf in 2022.

Key Economic and Logistical Realities

Running an independent bookshop in Singapore remains financially challenging. Rent in a mall can cost $10,000 to $25,000 per month for a 500- to 1,000-square-foot space. Labour costs, with retail assistants earning $2,500 to $3,000 per month, add pressure. Margins on a typical $25 trade paperback are 40% at best, meaning a shop must sell hundreds of copies per month just to break even.

Many owners supplement income by selling stationery, prints, tote bags, and coffee. For instance, Woods in the Books derives about 30% of its revenue from non-book items. Others run paid workshops or subscription boxes. The bookstore opening hours 2024 page shows that most indie shops operate 11am to 7pm, with some closed on Mondays, a sign that owners are balancing cost with lifestyle.

Importing books is also a specialised concern. While GST on books is zero-rated, the cost of international shipping has risen sharply. The international book shipping costs article notes that freight for a standard 20-foot container from the UK to Singapore rose from $2,000 in 2019 to $6,000 in 2022. Some shops minimise this by sourcing from local distributors like APD Singapore or Pansing Distribution.

Sourcing rare or out-of-print titles is another niche. The rare book dealers Singapore illustrate how a handful of specialist sellers, such as Select Books and Littered with Books, obtain antique and rare volumes through estate sales and overseas auctions. However, the market remains small, with annual sales rarely exceeding $50,000 for any single dealer.

Heritage and Placemaking: Bookshops as Anchors

Urban planning has played a subtle but important role. The bookshops in heritage areas study points out that many independents cluster in conservation districts, Tiong Bahru, Bras Basah, Joo Chiat, and Kampong Glam. These areas attract tourists and residents who value atmosphere and history. The Land Transport Authority’s decision to improve pedestrian links around the Bras Basah, Bugis cluster, for instance, made it easier for customers to visit bookshops like Books Actually and the now-closed Prologue Bookshop.

Public market “pop-up” stalls also gave indie booksellers low-cost exposure. The pop-up book markets at Tiong Bahru Market, Tekka Centre, and the Japanese Cemetery Park have allowed micro-businesses to test the waters. Some, like Book Bar, a booth at the Tiong Bahru Community Centre, have grown into permanent online stores.

Festivals, Fairs, and Literary Culture

Singapore’s literary calendar expanded markedly in the 2010s. The Singapore literary festival guide shows that the Singapore Writers Festival, which had been a small affair in the 1990s, grew to a week-long event in 2017 drawing over 60,000 attendees. Independent bookstores were not just vendors at the festival; they were co-organisers of fringe events, panel discussions, and book signings. In 2019, Books Actually alone hosted 12 festival-adjacent events.

The Singapore book fairs 2024 calendar lists more than a dozen fairs annually, from the massive Singapore Book Fair (held at Suntec City) to neighbourhood-specific affairs like the Joo Chiat Book Fair. These fairs give indie stores a chance to reach customers who might not venture into their fixed premises. The National Library also runs a regular “BookSwap” event, which has evolved into a travelling pop-up that visits community centres.

For readers interested in buying used books, the best sites for used books shipping article lists online alternatives such as Thryft and Carousell, but many buyers still prefer to browse physical indie stores for the tactile experience.

Customs, Import Rules, and the Online Threat

One regulatory advantage for independent bookstores is the zero-GST policy on books. However, imported books are still subject to customs clearance and inspection. The customs duties on imported books article confirms that Singapore imposes no duty on books, though the importer must still submit a permit for large shipments. This has kept costs low compared to countries with high tariffs.

The greatest threat to independent bookstores remains the convenience of Amazon and other online retailers. Amazon.sg, launched in 2018, offers competitive pricing and free delivery for orders above $40. Many independents have responded by emphasising curation, personal service, and the “third place” experience, a comfortable shop where customers linger, chat, and discover. They also promote the ethical argument: spending with a local shop keeps money in the community.

The complete guide to buying and borrowing books in Singapore remains the most comprehensive resource for readers weighing their options, library, chain, indie, or online, and it highlights the unique value that independents offer.

Looking Ahead: Sustainability and Generational Change

As of 2024, the indie bookstore scene in Singapore appears healthy but fragile. Several shops that opened during the pandemic have closed, Nota Bene Books (a philosophy-focused store at Bras Basah Complex) shut its doors in 2023 after two years. Others, like Littered with Books, have moved to smaller premises to lower rent. Still, new ones continue to open. In early 2024, Raffles Readers, a British-Asian literature shop, opened at 313@Somerset, and Kubrick Singapore (an offshoot of the Hong Kong film-and-bookstore chain) announced plans for a 2025 launch.

The generational shift is also noteworthy. Millennials and Gen Z consumers, many of whom discovered physical books through Instagram or TikTok, are driving footfall to indie shops. Books Actually reports that 40% of its customers are under 30, a figure that would have been unthinkable a decade ago. The trend is helped by the “slow reading” movement and the rise of book clubs, many of which meet at indie stores.

In the long run, the survival of independent bookstores in Singapore will depend on continued creativity, community support, and the willingness of consumers to choose a $25 novel from a curated shelf over a $20 copy from a bargain bin. If the past fifteen years are any guide, the city’s book lovers will keep showing up.

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