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{{short description|Singaporean bookstore company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Use Singaporean English|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox company {{Infobox company
| company_name = Popular Holdings Limited | name = Popular Holdings Limited
| company_logo = ] | logo = Popular Holdings Logo.svg
| logo_size = 250px
| company_type = ] (])
| image = 700 Nathan Road Popular Book Store 2018.jpg
| foundation = ], 1924
| location = ] | image_size = 250
| type = Private company
| key_people = Chou Cheng Ngok (Chairman)
| foundation = Singapore ({{start date and age|df=yes|1924}} – as Cheng Hing Company)
| num_employees =
| location_country = 15 Serangoon North Ave 5, Singapore 554360, Singapore
| industry = ] & ], ], ] and ]
| key_people = Chou Cheng Ngok <small>(Group CEO)</small>
| products = ], ], Assessment Titles, ] Products
| num_employees =
| revenue = {{profit}} ]450,317,000 (2009)
| industry = Retail & distribution, publishing, ] & property development
| products = Books, stationery, assessment titles, ] products
| revenue = {{profit}} ]450,317,000 (2009)
| operating_income = | operating_income =
| net_income = | net_income =
| homepage = | homepage =
}} }}
'''Popular Holdings Limited''', more commonly known as just '''Popular''' (stylized in ]) or colloquially as the '''Popular Bookstore''', is a ]an multinational bookstore chain. Aside from Singapore, it also has subsidiaries in countries such as ], ] (including ] and ]), ], ], ], and the ].


'''Popular Holdings''' (]: 大众书局) ({{Sgx|P29}}), commonly called '''Popular''', is a ]-based company that publishes, distributes, and retails books for the local education market. It has subsidiaries in countries such as ], the ], ], ] and ]. In the ] 2009, it had a ] of S$450 million.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.popularworld.com/ar.html | title = Popular Holdings Limited 2009 Annual Report - Operating & Financial Review | accessdate = 2010-01-28}}</ref> During the ] of 2011, it had a ] of approximately ]735.9 million.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://popular.listedcompany.com/misc/ar2011.pdf | title = Popular Holdings Limited 2011 Annual Report | accessdate = 1 December 2011 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20120426011426/http://popular.listedcompany.com/misc/ar2011.pdf | archivedate = 26 April 2012 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>


==Overview==
The first Popular Bookstore was set up in 1936 by Chou Sing Chu in ], focusing on retailing Chinese books and stationery. In March 2006, Popular Holdings was the main organiser of BookFest@Singapore, the first ] book fair ever held outside of China.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.china.org.cn/english/2006/Mar/161159.htm | title = Read All About It in Singapore | publisher = China Daily | date = 11 March 2006 | accessdate = 2006-07-28}}</ref> In May 2006, Popular Holdings staged the inaugural BookFest@Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. It is a platform for established publishers to showcase their latest publications and renowned authors to meet and interact with the readers. The inaugural BookFest@Hong Kong was organized in 2008. By 2009, the annual BookFest has become a major event of the book industries in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.popularworld.com/ar.html | title = Popular Holdings Limited 2009 Annual Report - Corporate Milestones | accessdate = 2010-01-28}}</ref>
The first Popular Bookstore was set up in 1936 by Chou Sing Chu in ], Singapore, initially focusing on retailing Chinese books and stationery. In March 2006, Popular Holdings was the main organiser of BookFest@Singapore, the first ] book fair ever held outside of China.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.china.org.cn/english/2006/Mar/161159.htm | title = Read All About It in Singapore | work = China Daily | date = 11 March 2006 | accessdate = 28 July 2006}}</ref>


In May 2006, Popular Holdings staged the inaugural BookFest@Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. It is a platform for established publishers to showcase their latest publications and renowned authors to meet and interact with the readers. The inaugural BookFest@Hong Kong was organized in 2008. By 2009, the annual BookFest has become a major event of the book industries in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.popularworld.com/ar.html | title = Popular Holdings Limited 2009 Annual Report&nbsp;— Corporate Milestones | accessdate = 28 January 2010 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080706165416/http://www.popularworld.com/ar.html | archivedate = 6 July 2008 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
== History and Milestones ==
Popular was founded in 1924 as the Cheng Hing Company, established by Chou Sing Chu in 1924, in the port of ] in ]. In 1934, Mr Chou Sing Chu established World Book Company to engage in the distribution and publishing of Chinese ]. In 1936, Popular Book Company was set up in Singapore to retail Chinese books.


The company was founded with the intention to publish, distribute and retail Chinese language books or books catering to the interests of ]. Ever since, one of the company's goals has been to cater to the interests of a wider, more diverse clientele.
In 1947, after ], Singapore's five major Chinese bookstores, namely The Commercial Press, Chung Hwa Book Co, Shanghai Book Co, World Book Co and Nanyang Book Co jointly set up United Publishing House (UPH) in Singapore and Malaysia to publish primary school textbooks.


== Board of directors ==
In 1949, Popular commenced publishing activities in ] under the trade name of World Publishing Company to publish magazines and Chinese books and these magazines and Chinese books were distributed in Asia markets. “Seashore”, “World” were amongst its publication brands, which are now distributed by Kam Pui Enterprises in Hong Kong.
Popular is headed by Chou Cheng Ngok, who is the ] and Executive Director of the Group.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=7 January 2018|title=CEO, Popular Holdings, Chou Cheng Ngok {{!}} On the Record|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/podcasts/on-the-record/chou-cheng-ngok-10042086|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-10|website=CNA|language=en}}</ref> Lim Lee Ngoh heads the operations in Malaysia and Singapore, while her counterpart in Greater China is Poon Chi Wai, Ponch. Desmond Wee Guan Oei is the Non-Executive chairman and Executive Director<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Change - Announcement of Appointment: Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director|url=http://infopub.sgx.com/Apps?A=COW_CorpAnnouncement_Content&B=AnnouncementToday&F=8FOSW13DV9F4VRL6&H=246b8090cfab0f10f7bc4f177e2809abcfff6fcf965879e4ddd707421645ad7b|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104170033/http://infopub.sgx.com/Apps?A=COW_CorpAnnouncement_Content&B=AnnouncementToday&F=8FOSW13DV9F4VRL6&H=246b8090cfab0f10f7bc4f177e2809abcfff6fcf965879e4ddd707421645ad7b|archive-date=4 November 2018|access-date=4 November 2018|website=infopub.sgx.com}}</ref> of the Board and other directors include Lim Soon Tze, David Chia Tian Bin and Christopher Chia.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Board of Directors|url=http://www.popularworld.com/en/BoardOfDirectors.php|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=26 May 2017|website=POPULAR|publisher=POPULAR Holdings Limited}}</ref>


Former directors include Ching Ging Oong, Poh Ping Tek, Ching Cheng Pong, Ang Tuak Liak, Vangatharaman Ramayah and Chim Choon Cheng.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=About POPULAR {{!}} Board of Directors|url=http://www.popularworld.com/about/management.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905154553/http://www.popularworld.com/about/management.html|archive-date=5 September 2008|accessdate=17 January 2008|website=POPULAR|publisher=POPULAR Holdings Limited}}</ref>
In 1950, ] (EPH) was established in Hong Kong to publish Chinese textbooks. Today, it is one of the market leaders of pre-school and primary textbooks in Hong Kong. EPH further expanded its market with the publishing of primary ] textbooks in 2005, and secondary English and ] textbooks in 2009. EPH also set up offices in Singapore (1996), Malaysia (1998) and Macau (1999), all EPH publishing houses are known as a renowned publisher that publishes a variety of textbooks and supplementary materials.


== Group of Companies ==
In 1970, the first HARRIS Bookstore was established in Hong Kong. HARRIS’ journey restarted many years later in Malaysia and Singapore (both in 2006). There are currently three HARRIS Bookstores in Singapore (], Jurong Point and 313@somerset) and one bookstore in ] (Jusco Tebrau City, Johor Bahru).
The Group currently carries out its publishing activities through subsidiaries operating in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Canada. Its bookstore operations currently have a network of over 130 Popular Bookstores in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. It now has its core businesses in retail, distribution, publishing and e-learning.


== Retail ==
In 1975, the Singapore bookstore operations launched the bilingual bookstore concept and brought the concept over to ] in 1984 to further its regional expansion strategy. Popular ], the largest bookstore in Southeast Asia, was opened in 1980. It has remained as the Company’s flagship outlet, and symbolizes Popular’s successful transformation into a bilingual bookstore. In keeping with time, this flagship store went through a complete revamp and was renamed POP@Central in 2005.
Back in 1936, Popular focused on the retailing of Chinese books and stationery. It has now expanded its product offerings to include English books, Malay books, textbooks and assessment books, Gadgets & IT products, household appliances, titbits, stationery, multimedia products and many more.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Haoxiang|first=Cai|date=2015-12-28|title=Stationery, but still Popular|url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/consumer/stationery-but-still-popular-0|access-date=2020-09-10|website=The Business Times|language=en}}</ref> It currently has stores in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.


== Popular Online Shop==
In a move to attract more readers, the Popular Card was introduced in 1990. Today, there are over a million Popular Card members in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. Popular Singapore launched a brand new Popular Card to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2009.
POPULAR Online is a one-stop station that provides a comprehensive range of books, educational peripherals, stationery, gadgets & IT products and more.
Visit official site (Singapore)


== Bookfest ==
In 1991, the brand “CD Rama” was launched to retail ] and audio products in Popular Singapore. The same concept was introduced in Malaysia's Popular Bookstores in 1992.
POPULAR held its first BookFest in 2006. It had started out with the objective of promoting the reading of Chinese across regions and bringing in the foremost works of Chinese literature.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=11 December 2009|title=Speech by Mr Lui Tuck Yew at the Opening of BookFest@Singapore 2009|url=https://www.mci.gov.sg/pressroom/news-and-stories/pressroom/2009/12/speech-by-mr-lui-tuck-yew-at-the-opening-of-bookfestsingapore-2009|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-10|website=]|language=en}}</ref>


== Distribution and Publishing ==
In line with the Popular group’s initiatives to consolidate all book retail operations under the name of Popular, all retail businesses in Hong Kong, including World Publishing Company and HARRIS (Hong Kong) was consolidated under the name of Popular in 1992. Popular Hong Kong expanded its operations through penetrating government housing estates and later moving into shopping centres in both urban and suburban areas. It opened the largest single-storey megastore, Popular MegaBox in 2007. There are currently 12 retail outlets in Hong Kong.
In 1999, POPULAR Group set up a purchasing office in Taiwan to purchase Chinese books for Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. With the expansion of the business, Popular Book Company Ltd was established in 2003 as a subsidiary of POPULAR Group. POPULAR Group now exports Chinese books in Taiwan, distributes books to Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong through around 188 POPULAR outlets. Novum Organum, also a subsidiary of POPULAR, is the distributor for the Group’s house brands and focuses on the book markets in Singapore and Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Distribution|url=http://www.popularworld.com/en/Distribution.php|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-10|website=POPULAR}}</ref>


== E-Learning ==
In 1994, Popular Book Company (Canada) Limited was incorporated in ], ], to publish assessment materials for the Canadian market. Today, it is one of the key educational books publishers in Canada.
POPULAR made an early foray into e-Learning in Hong Kong, with the establishment of Popular e-Learning (HK) Ltd. (‘PeLH’) in 2000. It provides e-Learning software and solutions to schools in Hong Kong, South East Asia and Taiwan.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Popular e-Learning HK Ltd|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/1361210D:HK|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-10|website=]}}</ref> In 2001, Guangzhou Cyber Progress Information Technology Limited (GCPIT) was established to support PeLH in its efforts.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Guangzhou Cyber Progress Information Technology Ltd|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/GCPZ:CH|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2020-09-10|website=]}}</ref>


== Subsidiaries ==
Popular Holdings was incorporated in Singapore on 5 October 1996 as a private company under the name of Popular Holdings Limited Pte Ltd. In May 1997, the company was listed on the main board of the ] and changed its name to Popular Holdings Limited accordingly. The principal activity of the company is that of investment holding.<ref>{{citeweb | title = About POPULAR - The POPULAR Story | publisher = Popular Holdings | url = http://www.popularworld.com/about/story.html | accessdate = 2006-07-28}}</ref>
The list of its subsidiaries is listed below:<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Popular Worldwide|url=http://www.popularworld.com/en/pop_worldwide.php|archive-url=|archive-date=|accessdate=4 November 2018|website=POPULAR|publisher=POPULAR Holdings}}</ref>

{{colbegin}}
In 1999, Popular moved to its own headquarters at 20, Old Toh Tuck Road in Singapore. In the same year, Popular set up a buying office in ]. As the business grew, Popular Book Co. Ltd was incorporated in 2003. It is now the single largest Chinese books exporter in Taiwan.
*Active & Independent Education Limited

*Ampress Limited
In 2002, Popular e-learning Holdings Pte Ltd was incorporated to leverage on the Popular Group’s educational content and distribution network to build a e-learning business that focuses on IT skill application and understanding of educational needs. It also serves as a supporting arm to the company's textbook publishing business. In 2008, it was re-branded as Digital Media Group (DMG) to provide cutting edge e-learning service and educational products to serve the digital savvy generation. Three web portals, namely, Educational Community, EduPop and Youth Portal were set up. In 2009, the e-learning business in Singapore was awarded a funding amount of S$2.4 million by the ] for regional development and marketing of media services and applications.
*Arajasa Corporation Sdn Bhd

*CD Rama Limited
In 2004, Popular made official inroads into the book industry in the ] with the establishment of a joint venture Popular Modern Books Company Limited with the previous China National Publishing Industry Trading Corporation. Popular is currently the single largest Chinese books exporter in China. In the same year, the Company incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary in the ], Popular UK Pte Limited to engage in publishing, wholesale and distribution of books for the Popular Group.
*CD Rama Sdn Bhd

*Cyber Progress Technology Limited
Popular acquired Novum Organum Publishing House Pte Ltd to strengthen its distribution network in Singapore and Malaysia. Till 2009, Novum represents over 120 publishers from Singapore, Malaysia and Taiwan, with over 500 distribution points. It also co-publishes with Taiwan publishers to convert traditional character Chinese books into simplified character Chinese books with 1,300 titles under its list.
*Educational Publishing House Limited

*Educational Publishing House Pte Ltd
PopularWorld (Beijing) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, was set up in 2005. In 2008, Popular was granted special approval by the General Administration of Press & Publication (GAPP), Ministry of Commerce of the ], to engage in the business of wholesale and retail of books, ] and ] in the People’s Republic of China, it is ready to move into China market in larger scale.
*Educational Publishing House, Limited

*Eduland Pte Ltd
In 2005, the company formed a subsidiary to operate English schools (''bushiban'') in Taiwan to exploit the local market for English education.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://investintaiwan.nat.gov.tw/en/news/200503/2005032201.html | title = Singaporean English school looking to teach Taiwan's kids | publisher = United Daily News | date = 22 March 2005 | accessdate = 2006-07-28 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20061003142010/http://investintaiwan.nat.gov.tw/en/news/200503/2005032201.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-10-03}}</ref>
*EduSmart Company Limited

*English Language Publishing Limited
In 2007, Seashore Publishing (M) Sdn. Bhd. was established in Malaysia to focus on the publishing of bilingual general books in Singapore and Malaysia. Seashore has released over 200 titles in less than two years, and has an accumulated sale of 1 million copies. 2007 also saw the establishment of Popular Land Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Popular. One Robin, its maiden residential property project was officially launched and sold out. The company is now working on two new residential projects at 18 Shelford and 8 Raja.
*EPH Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd

*Epilogue Catering Ptd Ltd
In 2009, Popular expanded its retail network through granting its ] partner, City Mart Holding Co Ltd, an exclusive license to operate the business of retailing products under the Popular trademarks in the cities of ] and ] in Myanmar.
*Guangzhou Cyber Progress Information Technology Limited

*Guangzhou Pan Lloyds Information Technology Development Company Limited
In the same year, Popular launched “UrbanWrite” – a lifestyle stationery concept store going beyond the basics. Through the store design, captivating display and its offerings of trendy personal stationery, UrbanWrite sets itself to be the “right” choice for the creative expression needs of the young and urban population.
*Harris Book Company (M) Sdn Bhd

*Harris Book Company Limited
In September 2009, Popular opened its new concept bookstore named {prologue} at Singapore’s latest shopping mall, ]. It aims to provide a new shopping experience to satisfy the lifestyle of the discerning and affluent population.
*Harris Book Company Pte Ltd

*Kam Pui Enterprises Limited
== Board of directors ==
*Kinder Education Press Limited
Popular is headed by Chou Cheng Ngok, who is the ] of the Company. Mr Wayne Chou, son of Mr Chou Cheng Ngok, is its ]. Other important directors include Khang Swee Cheng, Lim Lee Ngoh, Vangatharaman Ramayah and Lim Soon Tze.<ref>{{citeweb | title = About POPULAR - Board of Directors | publisher = Popular Holdings | url = http://www.popularworld.com/about/management.html | accessdate = 2008-01-17 }}</ref>
*New Chapter Book Company Pte Ltd

*Novum Organum Publishing House (M) Sdn Bhd
== Group of Companies ==
*Novum Organum Publishing House Pte Ltd
The Group currently carries out its publishing activities through subsidiaries operating in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Canada. Its bookstore operations currently have a network of over 130 Popular Bookstores in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. It now has its core businesses in retail, distribution, publishing and e-learning.
*Pan Lloyds Education Limited
*Pan Lloyds Publishers Limited
*Popular Book Company (Canada) Limited
*Popular Book Company Limited
*Popular Book Company Pte Ltd
*Popular Book Co. (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
*Popular e-Learning (Beijing) Ltd
*Popular e-Learning (H.K.) Limited
*Popular e-Learning Holdings Pte Ltd
*Popular Land Investment Pte Ltd
*Popular Land Pte Ltd
*Popular Modern Books Company Limited
*Popular Warehouse and Distribution Pte Ltd
*PopularWorld (Beijing) Limited
*PopularWorld.com Pte Ltd
*Prologue Publishing Pte Ltd
*Seashore Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd
*Smart English Company Limited


{{colend}}
=== Subsidiaries ===
The list of its subsidiaries is listed below:<ref>{{citeweb | title = About POPULAR - Group of Companies | publisher = Popular Holdings | url = http://www.popularworld.com/about/companies.html | accessdate = 2008-01-17 }}</ref>
* Popular Book Company (Pte) Ltd (Singapore)
* ] Pte Ltd (Singapore)
* Popular Office Products (S) Pte Ltd (Singapore)
* PopularWorld.com Pte Ltd (Singapore)
* Harris Book Company Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)
* Novum Organum Publishing House Pte Ltd (Singapore)
* Popular Book Co. (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
* Arajasa Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
* CD Rama Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
* Novum Organum Publishing House (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
* Popular Book Company Limited (Hong Kong)
* Harris Book Company Limited (Hong Kong)
* CD Rama Limited (Hong Kong)
* eNet Digital Pacific Limited
* EduHealth Limited
* Popular Modern Books Company Limited
* Popular Yuchen Company Limited (Taiwan)
* Popular Yuchen Book Limited (Taiwan)
* One-Stop Popular Bookmart (B) Sdn Bhd
* Popular Book Co Pty Ltd
* Popular UK Pte Limited (British)
* EPH Publishing (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)
* English Language Publishing Limited (Hong Kong)
* Kam Pui Enterprises Limited (Hong Kong)
* Kinder Education Press Limited (Hong Kong)
* Ampress Limited
* New Asia Publishing House Limited (Hong Kong)
* New Edge International Limited
* Popular Kids Co., Ltd.
* Popular Digital Products (Shenzhen) Ltd. (China)
* PopularWorld (Beijing) Limited (China)
* Educational Publishing House Limited (Hong Kong)
** Yuk Choi Book Store (Hong Kong)
* Popular e-Learning Holdings Pte Ltd (Singapore)
* Educational Publishing House Pte Ltd (Singapore)
* EduPlanner Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)
* EduLand Pte. Ltd. (Singapore)
* ] Pte Ltd
* Pan Lloyds Publishers Limited (Hong Kong)
* Cyber Progress Technology Limited
* Popular e-Learning (H.K.) Limited (Hong Kong)
* Town4kids Limited (Hong Kong)
* Guangzhou Cyber Progress Information Technology Limited (China)
* Popular e-Learning (Beijing) Ltd. (China)
* Beijing Tsinghua Timefound & Cisco System Technology Co., Ltd (China)


== References == == References ==
{{reflist|2}} {{reflist|2}}


==External links== == External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* - Official site
* - Official site * official site (Singapore)
* - Official site * official site (International)
* - Official site * official site (Singapore)
* - Official site * official site (Malaysia)
* - Official site
* - Official site


{{Portalbar|Singapore|Companies}}
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{{Authority control}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Popular Holdings}}
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Latest revision as of 04:34, 9 June 2024

Singaporean bookstore company

Popular Holdings Limited
Company typePrivate company
IndustryRetail & distribution, publishing, e-Learning & property development
FoundedSingapore (1924; 100 years ago (1924) – as Cheng Hing Company)
Headquarters15 Serangoon North Ave 5, Singapore 554360, Singapore
Key peopleChou Cheng Ngok (Group CEO)
ProductsBooks, stationery, assessment titles, multimedia products
RevenueIncrease S$450,317,000 (2009)

Popular Holdings Limited, more commonly known as just Popular (stylized in all caps) or colloquially as the Popular Bookstore, is a Singaporean multinational bookstore chain. Aside from Singapore, it also has subsidiaries in countries such as Canada, China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Taiwan, Malaysia, United Kingdom, and the United States.

During the financial year of 2011, it had a turnover of approximately S$735.9 million.

Overview

The first Popular Bookstore was set up in 1936 by Chou Sing Chu in North Bridge Road, Singapore, initially focusing on retailing Chinese books and stationery. In March 2006, Popular Holdings was the main organiser of BookFest@Singapore, the first Chinese-language book fair ever held outside of China.

In May 2006, Popular Holdings staged the inaugural BookFest@Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. It is a platform for established publishers to showcase their latest publications and renowned authors to meet and interact with the readers. The inaugural BookFest@Hong Kong was organized in 2008. By 2009, the annual BookFest has become a major event of the book industries in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

The company was founded with the intention to publish, distribute and retail Chinese language books or books catering to the interests of Singaporeans. Ever since, one of the company's goals has been to cater to the interests of a wider, more diverse clientele.

Board of directors

Popular is headed by Chou Cheng Ngok, who is the Group chief executive officer and Executive Director of the Group. Lim Lee Ngoh heads the operations in Malaysia and Singapore, while her counterpart in Greater China is Poon Chi Wai, Ponch. Desmond Wee Guan Oei is the Non-Executive chairman and Executive Director of the Board and other directors include Lim Soon Tze, David Chia Tian Bin and Christopher Chia.

Former directors include Ching Ging Oong, Poh Ping Tek, Ching Cheng Pong, Ang Tuak Liak, Vangatharaman Ramayah and Chim Choon Cheng.

Group of Companies

The Group currently carries out its publishing activities through subsidiaries operating in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Canada. Its bookstore operations currently have a network of over 130 Popular Bookstores in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. It now has its core businesses in retail, distribution, publishing and e-learning.

Retail

Back in 1936, Popular focused on the retailing of Chinese books and stationery. It has now expanded its product offerings to include English books, Malay books, textbooks and assessment books, Gadgets & IT products, household appliances, titbits, stationery, multimedia products and many more. It currently has stores in Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.

Popular Online Shop

POPULAR Online is a one-stop station that provides a comprehensive range of books, educational peripherals, stationery, gadgets & IT products and more. Visit Popular Online Singapore official site (Singapore)

Bookfest

POPULAR held its first BookFest in 2006. It had started out with the objective of promoting the reading of Chinese across regions and bringing in the foremost works of Chinese literature.

Distribution and Publishing

In 1999, POPULAR Group set up a purchasing office in Taiwan to purchase Chinese books for Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. With the expansion of the business, Popular Book Company Ltd was established in 2003 as a subsidiary of POPULAR Group. POPULAR Group now exports Chinese books in Taiwan, distributes books to Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong through around 188 POPULAR outlets. Novum Organum, also a subsidiary of POPULAR, is the distributor for the Group’s house brands and focuses on the book markets in Singapore and Malaysia.

E-Learning

POPULAR made an early foray into e-Learning in Hong Kong, with the establishment of Popular e-Learning (HK) Ltd. (‘PeLH’) in 2000. It provides e-Learning software and solutions to schools in Hong Kong, South East Asia and Taiwan. In 2001, Guangzhou Cyber Progress Information Technology Limited (GCPIT) was established to support PeLH in its efforts.

Subsidiaries

The list of its subsidiaries is listed below:

  • Active & Independent Education Limited
  • Ampress Limited
  • Arajasa Corporation Sdn Bhd
  • CD Rama Limited
  • CD Rama Sdn Bhd
  • Cyber Progress Technology Limited
  • Educational Publishing House Limited
  • Educational Publishing House Pte Ltd
  • Educational Publishing House, Limited
  • Eduland Pte Ltd
  • EduSmart Company Limited
  • English Language Publishing Limited
  • EPH Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd
  • Epilogue Catering Ptd Ltd
  • Guangzhou Cyber Progress Information Technology Limited
  • Guangzhou Pan Lloyds Information Technology Development Company Limited
  • Harris Book Company (M) Sdn Bhd
  • Harris Book Company Limited
  • Harris Book Company Pte Ltd
  • Kam Pui Enterprises Limited
  • Kinder Education Press Limited
  • New Chapter Book Company Pte Ltd
  • Novum Organum Publishing House (M) Sdn Bhd
  • Novum Organum Publishing House Pte Ltd
  • Pan Lloyds Education Limited
  • Pan Lloyds Publishers Limited
  • Popular Book Company (Canada) Limited
  • Popular Book Company Limited
  • Popular Book Company Pte Ltd
  • Popular Book Co. (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
  • Popular e-Learning (Beijing) Ltd
  • Popular e-Learning (H.K.) Limited
  • Popular e-Learning Holdings Pte Ltd
  • Popular Land Investment Pte Ltd
  • Popular Land Pte Ltd
  • Popular Modern Books Company Limited
  • Popular Warehouse and Distribution Pte Ltd
  • PopularWorld (Beijing) Limited
  • PopularWorld.com Pte Ltd
  • Prologue Publishing Pte Ltd
  • Seashore Publishing (M) Sdn Bhd
  • Smart English Company Limited

References

  1. "Popular Holdings Limited 2011 Annual Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
  2. "Read All About It in Singapore". China Daily. 11 March 2006. Retrieved 28 July 2006.
  3. "Popular Holdings Limited 2009 Annual Report — Corporate Milestones". Archived from the original on 6 July 2008. Retrieved 28 January 2010.
  4. "CEO, Popular Holdings, Chou Cheng Ngok | On the Record". CNA. 7 January 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  5. "Change - Announcement of Appointment: Appointment of Independent Non-Executive Director". infopub.sgx.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2018. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  6. "Board of Directors". POPULAR. POPULAR Holdings Limited. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  7. "About POPULAR | Board of Directors". POPULAR. POPULAR Holdings Limited. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 17 January 2008.
  8. Haoxiang, Cai (28 December 2015). "Stationery, but still Popular". The Business Times. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  9. "Speech by Mr Lui Tuck Yew at the Opening of BookFest@Singapore 2009". Ministry of Communications and Information. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  10. "Distribution". POPULAR. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  11. "Popular e-Learning HK Ltd". Bloomberg. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  12. "Guangzhou Cyber Progress Information Technology Ltd". Bloomberg. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  13. "Popular Worldwide". POPULAR. POPULAR Holdings. Retrieved 4 November 2018.

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