Book Off

Book Off (ブックオフコーポレーション)
TypeBookstore
IndustryRetail
FoundedAugust 1, 1991 (1991-08-01)
FounderTakashi Sakamoto
Headquarters
Sagamihara, Kanagawa
,
Japan
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsSecond-hand books, magazines, manga, CDs, DVDs, video games, video game consoles, mobile phones and portable media players
Book Off in Higashiyama, Nara
Book Off in Shibuya

Book Off (ブックオフコーポレーション, Bukku Ofu Kōporēshon) (TYO: 3313), stylized as BOOKOFF, is Japan's largest chain of used bookstores. Founded in August 1991, the company has had explosive success, expanding to over 850 stores throughout Japan and several overseas locations. In addition to books, its chains also sell manga, CDs, DVDs, video games, and used video game consoles, mobile phones, portable media players, and sports equipment. Stores are distinguished by their large surface area, cleanliness, and bright illumination.

Operations

Book Off stores are large and browsing is encouraged. Another innovation cited for its success is the practice of shaving the edges off the pages of books using a special machine in order to make them appear newer. By offering a wide selection of books that appear like new at reduced prices, Book Off has aggressively targeted conventional bookstore chains, which since 1953 have been unable to discount new and near-new books and other media due to government regulations which enable a publisher's cartel.

Book Off is frequently cited as a rare example of a corporation that was able to grow during the so-called "lost decade" of economic stagnation that followed the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble, through its use of innovative business strategies.[citation needed] It expanded from merely used books to used second-hand merchandise through its Hard Off stores, and to the video rental market through Tsutaya.

In October 2026, Book Off Group Holdings reported that unauthorized access to a subsidiary's membership management system may have exposed up to approximately 6.43 million member records, including names and addresses. The company said payment information was not stored in the affected system.

Brands

The Book Off group includes a range of sister brands including:

International stores

Book Off also operates several stores in the United States, two in Seoul and three in Paris. In the United States there are four stores in New York, ten in California, two in Hawaii, and one in Arizona and Michigan. There are eight stores in Malaysia operating under the Jalan Jalan Japan brand. Both a Hard off, and a Hobby off, operate in Taiwan.

Former

In 2012, it closed its only Canadian store in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was previously opened in July 2005.

References

  1. ↑ "Screen savers: Japan's latest mobile craze: novels delivered to your handset". The Economist. May 24, 2007.
  2. ↑ J. Kreiner; U. Mvhwald; H. D. Vlschleger (2004). Handbook of Oriental Studies. Section 5 Japan, Modern Japanese Society. p. 452. ISBN 90-04-10516-6.
  3. ↑ Mike W. Peng (2008). Global Strategy. pp. 390–393. ISBN 978-0-324-59099-9.
  4. ↑ "ブックオフ643万件漏えいか SB子会社「データ復元困難」". TV Asahi (in Japanese). 9 October 2026. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  5. ↑ "Book Off says up to 6.43 million member records were taken in breach". Tokyo Brief. 9 October 2026. Retrieved 9 October 2026.
  6. ↑ "Hard Off Website | 店舗 | 中古品の買取・販売ならハードオフ(楽器・家電・家具など取扱商品多数のリサイクルショップ)". 株式会社ハードオフコーポレーション (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-06-22.
  7. ↑ Nos Boutiques BOOKOFF
  8. ↑ "Jalan Jalan Japan - Pre-loved Goods from Japan". www.jalanjalanjapan.com.my. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  9. ↑ "Hardoff Taiwan".
  10. ↑ https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/book-off-vancouver-closing
  11. ↑ https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2005/07/12/business/bookoff-to-open-store-in-vancouver/