Maruzen CHI Holdings

Basic Information

Stock Code: 3159
Industry: Retail
Category Detail: Specialty Stores & Drugstores
Prefecture: Tokyo
Establishment Year: February 2010
Listing Year: February 2010
Official Website: http://www.maruzen-chi.co.jp/
TSE Information: TSE Information
Yahoo! Finance: Yahoo! Finance
Other Companies: Taiyo Foundation Engineering, Koden-sha, Village Vanguard Corporation, Sanyodo Holdings, Kosei R.E., Imura, Yukes, Tomita Electric, Otake, O.M. Tsunetwork, Top Culture, Kinei, Bunkodo Group Holdings

Overview

Maruzen CHI Holdings is a holding company for a bookstore consortium established in 2010 as a subsidiary of Dai Nippon Printing, and a leading retailer strong in domestic and international book sales and library distribution.

Current Situation

Maruzen CHI Holdings recorded consolidated sales of 165.5 billion yen and operating profit of approximately 3.4 billion yen in the fiscal year ending January 2025. As a consolidated subsidiary of Dai Nippon Printing, it has several major subsidiaries including Maruzen Yushodo, Library Circulation Center, and Maruzen Junkudo Bookstore. Its main businesses are book sales and library distribution services, including book supply to public libraries and online retail. In recent years, it has entered subscription e-book services and expanded cloud-based specialized information research tools. It is also actively diversifying into infrastructure equipment design and editing systems. Following market reorganization, it belongs to the Tokyo Stock Exchange Standard Market and is advancing growth strategies backed by a stable financial base. It contributes to society through library promotion and cultural initiatives, working on the integration of digital and physical book distribution. Aiming for revenue growth through digitalization and B2B service enhancement toward 2030.

Trivia

Interesting Facts

Maruzen Yushodo maintains an integrated system from shelf manufacturing to interior construction.
Library Circulation Center is Japan's largest specialized distribution company for libraries.
Junkudo Bookstore is renowned for extensive book assortments in large stores.
Iwasaki Shoten is well-regarded for its focus on children's books.
Stable management supported by Dai Nippon Printing Group capital.
"CHI" in Maruzen CHI signifies knowledge.
honto's strength lies in integration of physical and e-books.
Strengthening publishing business for medical fields.
Hybrid strategy of online services and physical stores.
Promoting editing education through participation in Editorial Engineering Laboratory.

Hidden Connections

Closely collaborates with Dai Nippon Printing to promote innovation in printing and publishing technologies.
Maintains strong transaction relationships with major publishers like Kodansha, Shogakukan, and Tohan.
Deep ties with local governments through public library support initiatives.
Partners with editing system companies to advance DX in publishing operations.
Involved in planning and operation of cultural events like Library Comprehensive Exhibition.
Influential in Japan's medical community through specialized medical book publishing.
Contributes to cultural property preservation through specialized subsidiaries in document management and storage.
Expanding into overseas bookstore business in Taiwan for regional development.

Future Outlook

Growth Drivers

Expansion of demand for digital shift including e-book subscriptions
Increasing demand for comprehensive public library services
Active brand strengthening in domestic and international book markets
Expansion of corporate deployment for specialized information research services
Operational efficiency and customer convenience improvement through IT utilization
Market needs response through enhanced specialization in publishing & editing
Expansion of bookstore operations and distribution in overseas markets
Transition to sustainable business models
Revenue base strengthening through diversification strategies
New service development leveraging customer base

Strategic Goals

Expand digital sales ratio to over 50% of total
Achieve 60% market share in public library services
Build business structure with annual sales of 200 billion yen
Integrate sustainability metrics across the company
Increase overseas subsidiary revenue contribution to over 30%
Complete revenue diversification in editing & publishing business
Expand major corporate adoption of cloud-based specialized information services
Develop and implement IoT & digital equipment for libraries
Nationwide rollout of regional cultural support & education promotion activities
Aggressive introduction of next-gen IT technologies and business innovation

Business Segments

Public Library Distribution Services

Overview

Comprehensive support services from book supply to collection management for libraries.

Competitiveness

Industry-largest book distribution infrastructure and facility design technology

Customers

Public libraries
University libraries
Research institutions
Local governments
Boards of education
Cultural facilities

Products

Library book sales
Bibliographic data provision
Book processing
Library shelf design & construction
Library operations outsourcing

Bookstore Chain Operations

Overview

Operates multiple bookstore brands to serve a wide customer base.

Competitiveness

Integration of large urban bookstores and online retail

Customers

General consumers
Corporations
Educational institutions
Professionals
Publishers

Products

Bookstore chain operations
Stationery sales
Music & video software
Store management systems

Specialized Book Publishing & Editing Services

Overview

Provides publishing and editing services specialized in academic fields.

Competitiveness

Specialized editing technology and extensive publishing network

Customers

Universities
Medical institutions
Publishing industry
Academic societies
Researchers

Products

Academic specialized book publishing
Editing systems business
Journal publishing
E-book production

Specialized Information Services

Overview

Deploys specialized book-based information search and research services for corporations.

Competitiveness

Highly reliable specialized book content and IT integration

Customers

Accounting firms
Tax accountants
Corporate legal departments
Financial institutions

Products

Cloud-based research tools
Tax & accounting specialized books
Legal-related books

Facility Design & Interior Construction

Overview

Implements specialized facility design and construction for bookstores and libraries.

Competitiveness

Extensive track record and design expertise

Customers

Libraries
Educational institutions
Cultural facilities
Corporations

Products

Shelf manufacturing
Interior design & construction
Facility management

Education & Training Services

Overview

Offers specialized training for libraries and editing.

Competitiveness

High-quality education services based on specialized knowledge

Customers

Library staff
Educational institutions
Cultural organizations

Products

Library promotion training
Editing education business

Competitive Advantage

Strengths

Industry-largest book sales network
Stable capital base under Dai Nippon Printing
Diversified operations through wide range of subsidiaries
High market share in public library distribution
Extensive expertise in specialized information services
Comprehensive digital book services
Customer base from multiple bookstore brands
Technological strength in editing systems business
Extensive track record in facility design & construction
Long years of industry experience and trust

Competitive Advantages

Market superiority through integrated complex bookstore chains
Comprehensive distribution solutions for public libraries
Funding and technical support through collaboration with Dai Nippon Printing
Unique deployment of cloud-based specialized information services
Business risk diversification possible through diverse subsidiaries
Stable revenue from strong customer trust and long-term contracts
Balance of community-based store operations and online sales
High reputation and reliability in specialized publishing
High-quality services in library facility design & construction
Active promotion of IT and digitalization

Threats

Shrinkage of in-store book sales due to e-book proliferation
Intensifying competition with online-only bookstores
Risk of shrinking publishing industry market
Decrease in store foot traffic due to external factors like COVID-19
Decline in demand from government library budget cuts
Delivery costs and logistics challenges
Rise of emerging digital media
Risks from copyright law revisions
Increase in new entrants
IT security risks

Innovations

2023: Launch of E-book Subscription Service

Overview: Launched e-book subscription service in collaboration with Impress.
Impact: Successfully expanded customer base and entered digital market.

2023: Maruzen Research Service Name Change

Overview: Changed name from honto Book Service to Maruzen Research Service, specializing in specialized information tools.
Impact: Strengthened cloud information services for professionals.

2022: Market Category Transition Due to TSE Reorganization

Overview: Shifted listing to Standard Market to expand investor base.
Impact: Contributed to improved recognition in capital markets.

2021: IT Infrastructure Enhancement for Library Distribution Services

Overview: Renewed book management system using cloud technology.
Impact: Achieved operational efficiency and improved service quality.

Sustainability

Support for environmentally considerate library operations
Promotion of recycled paper and eco-friendly stationery
Active participation in regional cultural promotion activities
Reduction of paper resources through digital distribution
Promotion of sustainable procurement and transactions