Historical Background of the National Book Store

National Bookstore is of the most famous and visited shop in the Philippines. It is one of the

well- known and largest establishment in terms of their retail school and office supplies. They also have

books, novels, magazines and any platforms in terms of entertainment. The bookstore nurturing every

Filipino in their successful and continue to be inspire. Despite of the struggles that they have done

before in the Japanese occupation in the Philippines during the World War II and scourge by typhoon,

they rise up again and prove that they are stronger in all cost. There journey is every close to the

Filipino’s heart because they remain humble and show us Filipinos that we can also succeed in life. But

before that success the bookstore rebuilt for three times and turned into rags to riches.

National Bookstore was held by 1930’s and founded by Socorro Cancio- Ramos and Jose Ramos

and their family.

Our History
In the 40's
1942
National Book Store was established by Jose and Socorro Ramos
1945
National Book Store reopened in Avenida, Rizal after it was burned down
during the liberation of Manila from Japanese occupation.
1948
National Book Store was destroyed by Typhoon Gene.

In the 60's
1965
National Book Store’s nine-story building in Avenida, Rizal was christened
as the AlBeCer Building, after Socorro and Jose’s three children.
1969
National Book Store opened its Rizal Avenue branch.

In the 70's
1970
National Book Store opened its Recto branch.
1972
National Book Store opened its Araneta Coliseum branch.
1974
National Book Store acquired the license from Hallmark,

National Book Store opened its Quad Arcade branch.

In the 80's
1982
National Book Store opened its three-storey Superbranch in Cubao
1987
National Book Store opened its first branch in Visayas on Mango Cebu
Avenue in Cebu City.
National Book Store established its head office at the Quad Alpha
Centrum Building in Mandaluyong City.

The Union Alliance of Concerned Employees of NBS was established.

1988
Cacho Publishing, Inc. was established

NBS acquired profits of $1 million on gross revenues of $34.7 million,

allowing it to join the roster of the top 100 Philippine corporations.

In the 90's
1990
National Book Store held the very first Cut Price sale.

Anvil Publishing, National Book Store’s publishing arm, is established.

1995
National Book Store launched its house brand for school and office
supplies, Best Buy.

National Book Store acquired its C5 warehouse.

1996
Power Books, Inc. was established.

National Book Store opened its first Mindanao branch in Cagayan De Oro.
1997
National Book Store changed its logo from the original bird image to the
more modern red script.

The first National Book Store Express store is opened in Retiro.

In the 00's
2000
National Book Store implements its loyalty program, Laking National.
2004
Socorro Ramos is awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and
Young.
The National Book Store Foundation, Inc. is established.

National Book Store ranked 308th in the Retail Asia-Pacific Top 500, a list
that includes 14 national economies in the region.
2005
National Book Store is awarded as one of the Outstanding Filipino
Retailers by the Philippine Retailers Association.
2006
The National Book Store website, www.nationalbookstore.com, is
launched.
2007
National Book Store’s 100th store is opened in SM Taytay.

National Book Store expanded to Hong Kong with its first Metrobooks
branch.

Socorro Ramos was awarded an Honorary Degree from Ateneo De Manila

University.
2009
National Book Store held the first-ever midnight book launch in the
country for The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown.

The National Book Store Facebook page is launched.

In the 2010's
2010
The My Pilipinas Moleskine collaboration between National Book Store,
Collezione-C2, and Moleskine is launched.
2011
National Book Store brought bestselling author Nicholas Sparks for a
book signing tour.
2012
‘Nanay Coring: The Story of National Book Store’s Socorro Ramos’, a book
chronicling Socorro Ramos’ journey to success, is released.

National Book Store won a competition to bring author Mark Millar for a
book signing tour.
2013
National Book Store launched the Rajo Laurel design collaboration.

National Book Store launched its e-commerce site.

2014
The first-ever Philippine Readers and Writers Festival is held.

National Book Store brought bestselling author Mitch Albom to Manila for
a book signing tour.

The My Fave Book Selfie contest is launched in partnership with the

Philippine Star.

The new National Book Store vision and mission statement is formulated.

The first Free Comic Book Day is held.

2015
National Book Store launched a collaboration with entrepreneur and
media personality Daphne Oseña-Paez.

National Book Store launched a collaboration with artist Benedicto Reyes

Cabrera, BenCab: 50 Creative Years.

National Book Store held the first-ever Color Pop Fair, an interactive
coloring event.

National Book Store brought bestselling author Kiera Cass for a book
signing event in Cebu.

SAP, an enterprise planning software, is implemented.

National Book Store is appointed the exclusive distributor of Itoya in the

Philippines, an iconic and beloved premium Japanese brand.

National Book Store opened its 200th store in Ayala Serin Tagaytay.

National Book Store launched its delivery service via hotline 8888-627.

The first National Book Store Foundation Dome Library, the first of its kind
in the Philippines, is turned over.
2016
National Book Store launched a collaboration with Cecile Zamora Van
Straten, a lifestyle blogger.

National Book Store entered the Hall of Fame of the Philippine Retailers
Association.

National Book Store began the rollout of a new store design, developed
with French design agency Malherbe. The first branch to be updated with
the new design is in SM City North EDSA.

National Book Store is appointed the exclusive distributor of Caran d'

Ache products in the Philippines.

National Book Store acquired a license to design and distribute products

from Disney.
2017
Three specialty stores are launched: Art Bar, Noteworthy, and
Workstation.

The NBS Academy, an in-house training center for NBS employees, is

established.

NBS College, an institution for higher learning, is established in Quezon

Avenue.
2019
National Book Store launched a fourth specialty store: Kids Ink.

National Book Store acquired a new mega distribution center in

Muntinlupa.

SAP optimization was implemented to further improve National Book

Store’s operational efficiency.
 Our Vision
We will be a globally competitive Filipino
company delivering excellent customer
experiences through it's profitable retail and
learning centers and brands.

Our Mission
WE COMMIT TO:

Our Customers

Provide the highest standards of customer service.

Our Products

Offer a wide range of relevant and quality products.

Our People

Create programs for the development and

advancement of our highly productive employees.

Our Shareholders/Partners

Develop mutually beneficial relationship for the

welfare and growth of our company, partners and
shareholders.
 Our Community

Undertake community projects that aim to bring

knowledge and learning within reach.