Retailing book in Malaysia very much depends on accessiblity and the range of books offered in each store. I used to buy books during my school days from small shop with unsystematic book shelves. Those were the days where it was not like present day where customer may come and browse book in the luxury of air-conditioned shop and nice sofas.
•Traditional book store – Marwilis (Shah Alam), Marican, Badan Bookstore (Johor Bahru), Minerva (Jln TAR, KL)
•Small town book sellers – Kedai Buku Rhythm, Kedai Buku Banggol, Pustaka Seri Intan (Terengganu), Kedai Buku Union (Jitra)
Chain Bookstores
•Times the Bookshop – estb 1978 under Straits Times Press (STP) and currently under Times Publishing Group (Singapore) previously robust with more than 15 outlets and now has trimmed to few outlets only. Biggest outlet size – Pavilion, KL.
•Popular Book Co – Cheng Hing Company (1924) – First bookstore in 1936 at Singapore, Malaysia started in 1984, listed in SSE. 46 outlets in Malaysia and 360 worldwide. Biggest outlet: Ikano Power Center
•MPH Bookstores celebrated 100 years of publishing in Malaysia last year and listed in SSE (1999) but has been brought over and privatised in 2002 and back to Malaysia. Currently has 28 outlets. Biggest outlet: One Utama New Wing , PJ
•Kinokuniya – started in Japan 1927, First oversea store at San Francisco 1969 and Malaysia in 1990. 90 outlets worldwide and the one and only in Malaysia is at KLCC
•Borders – part of the chain book stores conglomerats (1200 outlets worldwide), with Malaysia franchise to Berjaya Book Sdn Bhd. 4 outlets in Malaysia (Berjaya Times Sq,The Curve, PJ, The Gardens, PJ and Queensbay Mall, Penang.
New concept to come and here in Malaysia already...online bookshop!
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