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Japanese renowned bookstore chain continues South-east Asian blitz
Through a partnership with real estate company Urban Living Solutions, Tsutaya Bookstore is set to launch its first outlet in Cambodia by 2025
Tsutaya Bookstore has over 800 outlets across Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia. PHOTO: TSUTAYA BOOKSTORE, TAKAMATSU ORNE
Online reading platforms may offer convenience, but physical bookstores provide more than just a space for browsing and discovering new reads. Tsutaya Bookstore will soon be taking its concept of “lifestyle and culture” to Cambodia.
Tsutaya Bookstore, Japan's largest bookstore chain founded in 1983, has redefined the bookstore experience by creating immersive lifestyle destinations. With over 800 outlets across Japan, China, Taiwan and Malaysia, Tsutaya Bookstore now sets its sights on Cambodia, where six new outlets are planned as part of the brand’s launch in the country. The first store will be unveiled by 2025.
Spearheading Tsutaya Bookstore's expansion into South-east Asia, Tsutaya Books Malaysia (TBM) opened the brand's first outlet in Malaysia in 2022. Now it has partnered with Urban Living Solutions (ULS), a Phnom Penh-based real estate and lifestyle development firm. This collaboration aims to introduce Tsutaya Bookstore's distinctive curation of media and lifestyle experiences to new audiences across the Asia-Pacific.
The first store in Osaka exemplified this vision by offering a unique selection of books, a cafe and CD rental services, paving the way for the innovative approach that would define Tsutaya Bookstore’s identity.
Complementing its vast collections, many Tsutaya Bookstore locations feature cafe and lounge areas, inviting customers to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee and browse their purchases in a cosy atmosphere.
But what sets Tsutaya Bookstore apart is the individuality and creativity of each store's design concept and personality, ensuring no two locations are alike. This distinctiveness makes the bookstore's arrival in Cambodia an eagerly anticipated event.
Moreover, Tsutaya Bookstore actively engages with the local community by hosting events, author signings and book-related activities, fostering a vibrant reading culture. This commitment to cultural enrichment aligns seamlessly with Cambodia's thriving arts scene and ULS’ community-first approach, where all projects contribute positively to the well-being of the residents. Together, they aim to bring new experiences for book enthusiasts and lifestyle seekers.
TBM CEO Hideyuki Uemoto (left) and ULS managing director Kimleang Kean sign their partnership to open six Tsutaya Bookstore outlets in Cambodia by 2034. PHOTO: ULS
Says Mr Hideyuki Uemoto, chief executive officer of TBM: “Cambodia's remarkable economic growth and flourishing cultural landscape present a compelling opportunity for expansion.”
ULS managing director Kimleang Kean notes: “The partnership between ULS and TBM resonates with our commitment to enriching the lives of Cambodians. Tsutaya Bookstore’s unique offerings will provide a welcoming space for people to connect and explore their passions.”
The collaboration between TBM and UBS will culminate in opening six Tsutaya Bookstore locations across Cambodia by 2034.
