KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 8 -- Independent bookshop Lit Books is leaving its original Tropicana Avenue home in Petaling Jaya after nine years, relocating to downtown Kuala Lumpur early next year amid declining foot traffic.

In a statement shared on The Lit Books Blog, co-founder Fong Min Hun said the commercial landscape around the Petaling Jaya premises had changed considerably since the bookshop opened in December 2017.

"While we could probably chug along for a while longer, we have seen a steady decline in footfall over the past few years - a trend that is unlikely to reverse course anytime soon," he said.

Fong said leaving the original premises was an emotional decision for him and his wife, Elaine Lau, with whom he founded the independen...