Despite the looming threat of Tropical Storm Wipha, the Hong Kong Book Fair experienced robust crowds on its fourth day, with attendees eager to stock up on reading materials in anticipation of potential closures the following day.
With the No. 3 Strong Wind Signal in effect, long queues formed at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), where visitors reported waiting up to 15 minutes just to enter.
Parents, students, and tourists navigated through the packed aisles, though exhibitors reported that there were no widespread storm-driven discounts.
Many attendees, including a mother surnamed Leung, mentioned that she visits every year and had set aside HK$1,000 for Doraemon comics and workbooks, praising the fair for its lower prices. Another visitor, Ms. Chow, decided to come a day earlier due to fears of the impending typhoon and strategically purchased a year’s worth of books in one trip.
Publishers reported strong sales, with Chung Hwa Bookstore noting that their commemorative stamp event attracted steady traffic. Tiffany Man Lai-ling, a marketing director, commented that readers continue to purchase their favorite books regardless of a typhoon. An independent publisher, Blue God Zi, experienced a sales surge on Saturday, attributing it to the urgency created by storm preparations.
Organizers confirmed that the fair would close if the No. 8 signal remained in effect at 8:30 am the following day, with plans to reopen only if the signal was lifted by 4:30 pm. Some exhibitors, like Breakthrough Publications, maintained pre-set discounts ranging from 15-25% but did not plan deeper cuts.
International visitors also braved the weather. A tourist from Hangzhou, identified only by the surname Zhong and seen dragging a suitcase, spent HK$1,000 at a manga signing, while a 12-year-old named Lee allocated HK$1,500 for study guides.
Although a religious bookseller identified by the surname Sze admitted that niche titles "rarely sell well," most vendors remained optimistic. He noted that the convenience of the MTR helps mitigate the impact of the weather on attendance.
