TSUTAYA books and magazines sales total 133 billion yen in 2018, a new record high

2019.03.14 Press Releases
TSUTAYA Co., Ltd.

-TSUTAYA's efforts to improve bookstore profits-

TSUTAYA Co., Ltd. (Head office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / President and COO: Nakanishi Kazuo / hereinafter referred to as "TSUTAYA") announced that its book and magazine sales from January to December 2018 reached a record high of 133 billion yen.

The reasons for the record-breaking total annual sales in 2018 include the opening of new stores across the country, an increase in the number of stores due to new membership in the TSUTAYA BOOK NETWORK (*1), the unique product development of TSUTAYA Bookstores, and the database marketing that only TSUTAYA can offer, all of which is supported by the company's unique product development.

■ Creating a "lifestyle proposal" store based on a database
Between January and December 2018, a total of 40 new stores were opened by TSUTAYA Bookstores, a bookstore chain, and new affiliates. The average floor area of newly opened stores is approximately 700 tsubo, and we promote the "BOOK & CAFE" style, where customers can enjoy a book with a cup of coffee in a spacious and comfortable space. In-store sales are based on consumer trend analysis using a database, which allows us to develop sales areas and select products, creating sales areas that offer discoveries and suggestions to customers.

In 2018, Tsutaya Bookstore opened stores in libraries and public facilities, as well as Nagoya Minato Tsutaya Bookstore, Ebetsu Tsutaya Bookstore, and Kochi Tsutaya Bookstore. By working with local businesses to create stores, we aim to develop stores that are loved by local customers and serve as a place for the local community.

At TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE, we are strengthening the development of more themed "lifestyle proposal" stores. TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE Holmes Shinyamashita store, in collaboration with Shimachu Co., Ltd., has a theme of "Home Living," while TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE APIT Shinonome store, in collaboration with Autobacs Seven Co., Ltd., has a theme of "Car Life." Each store offers a unique way of proposing various lifestyles that extend beyond books and magazines.

■TSUTAYA's efforts to improve bookstore profits
In a time when over 20% of local governments have no bookstores, TSUTAYA is working with publishers and distributors on experimental initiatives to improve bookstore profits so that customers across the country can enjoy picking up a wide variety of publications in the bookstore, a space of discovery and encounters.
As one example, we are purchasing approximately 20% of monthly magazines, which increases sales of monthly magazines at bookstores and contributes to the profits of publishers.
Furthermore, in the future, we will also be working with CCC Group publishers on a trial initiative to improve return rates for books in order to generate optimal profits for publishers. In the future, by implementing this initiative with many publishers, we hope to contribute to ensuring that publishers can continue to publish a wide variety of publications in a shrinking market and deliver these to many customers through bookstores.

TSUTAYA will continue to expand its bookstores nationwide as "places for lifestyle suggestions" that allow more customers to enjoy their time at bookstores, and will use its unique database marketing and planning capabilities to create opportunities for customers to encounter high-quality works.

(※1) TBN (TSUTAYA BOOK NETWORK): A general term for the network of franchises within the "TSUTAYA" and "Tsutaya Bookstore" store chains, primarily selling books and magazines.

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TSUTAYA books and magazines sales total 133 billion yen in 2018, a new record high

Inquiries regarding this matter
TSUTAYA Co., Ltd.
public relations
03-6800-4764