POS Checkout Experience That Made 1.5 Million Readers Remember This Brand

At the Kuala Lumpur International Book Fair (KLIBF) - one of Southeast Asia’s largest annual book fairs, over 1.5 million readers surged through the halls at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur (WTCKL).

Hundreds of publishers, authors, book sellers competed for attention, each offering special discounts, signings, and exclusive launches, but only a few managed to leave a lasting impression. At high-traffic events like this, retailers don’t get second chances.

• A long queue? Customers will skip your booth.
• Limited payment options? Customers will say “maybe next time.”
• A checkout without personal touch? Customers won't even recognise you again.

That’s what Bookcafe understood—and also why they decided to do things differently. 

Powering Moments That Readers Remember

Bookcafe, officially known as PTS Bookcafe Sdn Bhd, is one of Malaysia’s leading online bookstores. 

Founded in 2008, Bookcafe has grown into a household name among avid readers, offering over 9,000 book titles from more than 400 publishers, including Islamic literature, self-help, fiction, children's books, and academic resources.

What sets them apart is not just their massive selection—but their deep understanding of how Malaysians discover, shop, and engage with books.

At KLIBF, Bookcafe didn’t just set up a booth, they created an experience that made checkout as enjoyable as discovering a new book. 

Powered by EasyStore Point of Sale, every purchase was fast, thoughtful, and kept readers excited for their next chapter.

1. “I want it, I got it” — When readers saw the book they want, it was theirs in the matter of seconds.

Bookcafe was determined to eliminate the biggest frustration at busy book events: the dreaded checkout queue. Readers buzzing with excitement over a new find shouldn't have their enthusiasm dampened by a long wait to pay.

To speed things up at checkout, Bookcafe turned their staff into a walking cashiers, each carrying one of over 20 portable POS devices such as an iPad and SUNMI V2s, making sure every transaction was taken care of, no matter where it happened.

So instead of readers queuing up at a counter, the counter came to them. Whenever someone had a book in hand and was ready to pay, they could simply wave down any nearby staff - a few taps on the screen and the book was theirs.

"I was surprised when I was at the booth. Because we were making sales, but I barely saw anyone queueing up at the counters." — Hairul, CEO of Bookcafe.

2. Readers enjoyed a smooth checkout experience, even with new part-timers on duty.

Bookcafe made it a top priority to deliver a consistently friendly and efficient checkout experience for every visitor. Their core message to customers was clear: "We are amicable, and you are safe in our hands."

Before KLIBF, Bookcafe conducted focused, one-day training sessions on the POS software for their part-timers. This quick adoption was made effortless by EasyStore’s user-friendly POS interface, enabling every team member to process transactions confidently.

The result was seamless consistency: it didn’t matter who was at the counter. Every single reader received the same fast, smooth checkout. Anytime readers were ready to buy, they knew exactly what to expect – a hassle-free, queue-free experience.

"We had to hire part-timers to run our booths smoothly. So, most of them weren’t familiar with our system. But thankfully, EasyStore’s POS was simple and easy to learn." — Hairul, CEO of Bookcafe.

3. When readers are ready for their next book, their member account is ready to use.

Bookcafe wanted to extend relationships with readers beyond the event, turning one-time buyers into loyal members. One of their latest initiatives is their loyalty program, launched at this year’s KLIBF.

As customers browsed, staff approached them with iPads for instant signups. With just a name and phone number, readers registered on the spot, unlocking immediate access to loyalty points and future discounts.

The beauty? Seamless continuity. Readers enjoy their perks at any Bookcafe retail stores or online channels. When readers are ready for their next book, a quick phone number and OTP login grants instant access to previously earned rewards – turning book discovery into an ongoing journey.

"We hoped to continue the reading journey and nurture relationships with our customers, even after KLIBF ends." — Shahrul, Sales Manager of Bookcafe.

4. Bring home a new story, no matter how readers choose to pay.

Readers get the books they want in just second with a simple tap without time wasted choosing how to pay.

Behind the scenes, Bookcafe had already communicated with their payment gateway, fully integrated with EasyStore POS, to ensure every payment method—QR pay, card, or e-wallet—was ready to go.

The result? A fast, flexible checkout experience that let readers pay however they preferred, without the wait.

5. Reading got more rewarding with EasyStore’s e-Invoice Integration

As part of Malaysia’s national effort to encourage knowledge building, book purchases and subscriptions are eligible for tax relief.

Bookcafe saw this as more than just a policy, it was a chance to give readers even more reason to enjoy what they love.

Every purchase made Bookcafe’s booths comes with a receipt printed with e-Invoice QR code, making it easy for readers to claim tax relief without any extra steps.

“We didn’t need to set up a whole new counter just for e-Invoice, it all just worked smoothly within our existing flow.” — Shahrul, Sales Manager of Bookcafe.

6. Readers can get the books they want, no matter where they shop 

It’s disappointing when readers came excitingly to get the book they’ve been looking for, only to hear it’s out of stock.

Bookcafe cares deeply about their customers’ experience and didn’t want anyone walking away empty-handed.  

When they launched their book fair, they made a smart move by separating inventory between their online store and the pop-up event to avoid any stock clashes.

That separation allowed Bookcafe to run the same book promo across both platforms. With that, readers who visited the fair got to purchase the book in person, while those who couldn’t make it could still get the book they'd been looking for – online – without the concern that it had already sold out at the fair.

And for customers who missed out on physical stock, staff could easily check online inventory using the POS system, guide them to make a purchase online, and have it delivered to their doorstep after the event.

“One of our customers went to KLIBF in the morning and had his eyes on one of our books. By the time he came back, the book went out of stock (at the event). But he managed to get what he want from our website with the same discounts.” — Hairul, CEO of Bookcafe

Turn Every Checkout into an Unforgettable Moment

At a place like KLIBF, with over a million readers and so many booths, it’s easy to blend in. But Bookcafe stood out, not just because of their books but because of how easy and enjoyable it was to buy them.

Whether it’s a smooth tap to pay, a receipt that helps you save on tax, or a seamless follow-up online – every interaction was intentional, human, and thought through.

While others tried to be louder, Bookcafe simply made things easier. They focused on what really matters, helping customers get what they came for. Find out more on how Bookcafe did it. 

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