With the explosion of information technology, in addition to online electronic books (Ebooks) becoming a favorite alternative to printed books, especially for young people, the problem of publishing fake and pirated books is increasing. This not only affects the interests of bookstores and book publishers but also distorts the market, making readers feel demotivated. With this trend, will the bookstore market become more sluggish?
In recent years, publishers and bookmaking units have implemented various measures to combat this problem, including anti-counterfeit stamps, barcodes, and electronic authentication stamps. However, these measures are less effective when readers opt for online shopping. In particular, counterfeit books are often sold at prices 30-50% below the market rate, or even up to 70% lower. This attracts consumers and compounds the challenge of resolving the issue.
On a positive note, a significant portion of book enthusiasts consider collecting books and stationery a habit and a passion. Therefore, despite the rapid technological advancements and the persistent problem of pirated books, the book industry continues to generate hundreds of billions of dong in annual revenue for large bookstore chains through book sales and stationery.
Fahasa Bookstore
Fahasa is a company specializing in trading books, stationery, souvenirs, and children's toys, with 75 bookstores spread across provinces and cities from North to South. In Ho Chi Minh City, there are about 20 bookstores distributed throughout the inner city districts. You can easily find nearby bookstores to make purchases.
Fahasa Bookstore's revenue and profit after tax recorded a continuously changing trend in the period 2020 - 2022. Specifically, in 2020, the brand's revenue reached more than VND 3,200 billion. This number decreased by 16% in 2021 and went down by 41.7% in 2022, reaching more than VND 3800 billion. Regarding profit after tax, in 2020, profit after tax reached nearly VND 13 billion. This number plummeted more than 99% in 2021, falling below the profit level of 1 billion VND. After that, it recorded a sharp increase in profit again in 2022, standing at more than VND 36 billion.
Phuong Nam Bookstore
The Phuong Nam bookstore system is one of the major brands in the book-selling industry, with about 50 bookstores stretching across the S shape. In addition, some Phuong Nam bookstores also operate a coffee book business - a form of coffee shop. Reading books is extremely reasonable and convenient. You can come here to shop for books, school supplies, necessary stationery and relax at the coffee shop. The reading space is for people who love openness, and reading books here also makes your mood more comfortable.
In 2020, the brand's revenue reached nearly more than VND 550 billion. This number climbed by 25% in 2021 and rose by 70% in 2022, reaching more than 700 billion VND. Phuong Nam's profit after tax was constantly changing. In 2022, profit after tax peaked at more than VND 13 billion. This number grew by 142.5% compared with 2020 and achieved a positive profit after falling to negative VND 12 billion in 2021.
ADC Bookstore
Established in September 2007, Art Design & Communication Joint Stock Company (ADC) is a member company of Vietnam Education Publishing House. After 10 years of expansion and development, ADC has become the leading publisher of books and educational products for teaching and learning activities at Vietnamese preschools. In the next stage of development, ADC aims to build a healthy educational environment for future generations, by bringing valuable human knowledge to the public through valuable books.
In 2022, ADC Bookstore's revenue stood at more than VND 390 billion, a climb of 30% compared to 2021 and a slight increase of 2.5% compared to 2020. Profit after tax recorded fluctuated over three years. Particularly, in 2022, profit after tax reached more than VND 13 billion. Its profit went up by 26.6% compared to 2021 and 6.3% compared to 2020.
Tan Viet Bookstore
Tan Viet Bookstore is a brand owned by Tan Viet Culture and Education Joint Stock Company, established on May 29, 2006, operating in the field of printing - publishing, and distribution. With the purpose of promoting transactions and buying and selling copyrighted books, to introduce world-famous works to a diverse audience of readers in Vietnam.
In the field of children's books, Tan Viet Bookstore has had the opportunity to work with many prestigious and long-standing corporations and book publishing companies in the world to bring familiar and close characters to young children. Vietnamese children such as Angry Birds, Barbie dolls, Winx Fairy, Hello Kitty,...
Tan Viet Bookstore's net revenue achieved more than VND 180 billion in 2022, a 45.2% higher than in 2021. Regarding profit after tax, the band recorded a decline in 2020 and 2022. Specifically, in 2020, Profit after tax reached nearly VND 1.5 billion. This number decreased by 25.7% in 2022, recording more than VND 1 billion.
Nha Nam Bookstore
In February 2005, Nha Nam Bookstore, belonging to Nha Nam Culture and Media Joint Stock Company, entered the book market. Although presented late, Nha Nam bookstore has entered the minds of book lovers as one of the largest bookstores in Ho Chi Minh City, publishing diverse and prestigious books.
Nha Nam Bookstore had a net revenue increase continuously for three years. In 2020, the brand's revenue reached nearly VND 120 billion. This figure climbed by 17.6% in 2021 and grew by 18.8% in 2022, peaking at nearly 170 billion VND. Regarding profit after tax, in 2020, profit recorded nearly VND 5 billion. Its profit dropped sharply to less than 1 billion VND in 2022.
Tien Phong Bookstore
In 1998, Tien Phong Joint Stock Company (Tien Phong Newspaper) was established and soon after launched the first Tien Phong Bookstore on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street - Hanoi, to support and develop business activities as well as cultural, social, and community service activities.
This is the first bookstore in the Tien Phong Bookstore chain to serve customers in a self-selected style like a cultural supermarket, in which books account for 50% of the total goods sold along with literary products, stationery, toys, and other attractive gifts. Tien Phong Bookstore quickly built its position, attracting a large number of students throughout the city.
Revenue and profit after tax of Tien Phong bookstore recorded continuous changes for three years. In 2020, the brand's revenue reached more than VND 130 billion. This revenue declined by 20% in 2021 and went up by 9.2% in 2022, reaching nearly VND 165 billion. Regarding profit after tax VND. After dropping to just over 10 million VND in 2021, its profit rose sharply again to nearly VND 2 billion in 2022.
Alpha Books Bookstore
Alpha Books is known as one of the leading brands in business management books, skill development, finance, and investment... with start-up guidebooks, lessons, methods, and experiences managed by experts and famous corporations around the world. After 18 years of formation and development, Alpha Books has gradually asserted its name, especially among generations of businessmen, managers, and young people who always aspire to build a successful career.
Alpha Books' revenue and profit after tax recorded a changing trend in the period 2020 - 2022. Specifically, in 2020, the brand's revenue stood at nearly more than VND 130 billion. This number decreased by 36% in 2021 and grew by 42% in 2022, reaching 120 trillion VND. In terms of profit after tax, in 2020, its profits peaked at nearly VND 3 billion. This number decreased sharply in the next 2 years, fluctuating around VND 150 million per year.
Thai Ha Bookstore
Thai Ha Bookstore was established in 2007 by Thai Ha Book Joint Stock Company. After 16 years of hard work and forgetting to eat and sleep by hundreds of people, Thai Ha bookstore is now considered the No. 1 business in Vietnam for books on raising smart children early, and No. 1 in Vietnam for the book genre Light Novel. The brand is a leading book company specializing in publishing Buddhist and spiritual books and is also one of the three strongest companies in Vietnam in terms of economic books.
In 2022, Thai Ha bookstore's revenue achieved more than VND 70 billion, an increase of 23.8% compared to 2021 and a rise of 3.3% compared to 2020. The brand's profit after tax also recorded a continuously changing trend. Particularly, in 2020, its profit after tax reached more than VND 3 billion. This number went down by 32% in 2021 and climbed by 35% in 2022, about 2.9 billion VND in 2022.
Tri Tue Bookstore
After nearly two decades of attachment to Vietnamese reading culture, Tri Tue Books and Educational Equipment Joint Stock Company has gradually affirmed its position in the hearts of readers. Currently, Tri Tue bookstore is one of the largest and best-quality bookstores in Vietnam. With a commitment to "orienting and preserving reading culture," Tri Tue bookstore always tries to bring customers the best reading experience.
Tri Tue Bookstore's revenue in three years ranged from VND 55 billion to VND 65 billion. Profit after tax recorded a recovery above a positive level. Specifically, in 2020, profit after tax reached more than negative nearly VND 7 billion. The number achieved a positive profit in 2021 and 2022, reaching nearly VND 100 million.
Hai An Bookstore
Dubbed the "miniature Atlantis" in the heart of Saigon, Hai An bookstore is like an "ocean" of knowledge both figuratively and literally. This interesting analogy comes from the unique design of Hai An bookstore, giving customers and visitors many new experiences such as going under the deep sea. Located on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hai An bookstore is not simply a place to literally sell books; it is also a place for you to relax, find a quiet corner, and even live virtually again.
Despite being newly built, Hai An's revenue and profit after tax tended to increase each year. Particularly, in 2020, the bookstore's revenue reached nearly VND 44 billion. This figure went up slightly by 13.4% in 2021 and climbed by 12.3% in 2022, standing at nearly 60 billion VND. Regarding profit after tax, although the trend is increasing, its profit is slight, from about VND 40 million in 2020 to nearly VND 60 million in 2022.
Although with the development of today's technology, e-books have many opportunities for development, the traditional printed book market will still exist as an indispensable means of spreading information and knowledge. Each customer has different choices, so printed books still grow strongly and bring billions of dong in profits each year.
However, technological development also forces bookselling businesses to deal with fake and pirated books. Therefore, the state needs to strengthen market inspection, supervision, creating favorable conditions for the inspection and handling of issues related to improper book publishing. In addition, the government should promote the use of high technology and propagate legal regulations to raise awareness of businesses and the community on this issue. This helps prevent the release of pirated and pirated books, protects the rights of authors and publishers, and ensures the healthy development of the publishing industry.
Source: Vietdata Vietnam bookstore market report 2022