Book fair draws bargain-seeking crowds on closing day
Book-lovers crowded the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai on Tuesday in the hope of picking up a bargain on the last day of the Hong Kong Book Fair.   Vendors normally slash prices at the end of the weeklong event as they seek to clear any remaining stock.  Some shoppers told RTHK that they hope to make the most of the steep discounts on offer.  “We’re going around to find the cheapest books as well as the ones with discounts. The last day is always the cheapest,” a student named Hermione said.  Miriam, a school librarian, was also on the lookout for the best deals. “Usually the booths here will offer some kind of deal where you get [books for cheaper prices] if you buy a whole bunch, so we're on the hunt for graphic novels, but also horror novels because the kids love horror books,” she said.  Despite the excitement, some vendors said sales have fallen short of expectations. Ismail Lambart from Bangzo Books Wholesale said he had expected higher revenue and attendance. “We did expect our revenue and visitors to be the same as before Covid. However, it was rather slow this year," he said.  However, travel book publishers said they've seen a jump in business as the tourism sector makes a comeback after the pandemic. The Director of Wow! Media, Jackson Tse, said sales have gone up five to six times from last year.