Brussels bookshop Filigranes attracts 80,000 visitors in first month after reopening

A month after its reopening, Brussels bookshop Filigranes reports a massive interest, a significant turnover increase and successful Sunday openings.

Weekend destination

On World Book Day, 23 April, Filigranes reopened over four floors in Brussels luxury department store Mayfair, after entrepreneur Mehmet Sandurac saved the bookshop from the brink of bankruptcy. A successful move, it turns out: a month after the relaunch, the shop already received 80,000 visitors. Sales followed suit: the company had factored in a 10 to 30 % decline in the first few months, but the bookshop is already registering sales increases of up to 25 % in certain segments. In particular, the literature, humanities, Dutch-language and English-language book departments are performing strongly.

Although Saturday traditionally is the busiest day, Sunday openings are also very successful, allowing the bookshop to profile itself as a true weekend destination. To that end, the retailer organises signing sessions and meetings with authors. It has also optimised the shop routing. The Daily Daily hospitality concept also plays a key role in the customer experience, CEO Joévin Ortjens said.