New ad campaign to support bookshops

A MAJOR advertising campaign encouraging the French public to support their local bookshops is to be unveiled later this week.

Four unions representing publishers and bookshop owners have joined forces for the campaign, which will highlight the shops' fight for survival against the internet.

The advertisements will emphasise the personal element of visiting a physical shop - the staff expertise, recommendations, and events such as talks and book signings.

According to literature news website Actua-Litté, a number of newspapers and weekly newsmagazines have agreed to run the ads for free as a gesture of solidarity.

They include Le Point, L'Express, Le Nouvel Observateur, Le Monde, Le Figaro and Libération. The donated advertising space is worth €500,000.