National Book Store

75 Years of Endless Discoveries For many years, we have remained close to the hearts of millions of Filipinos across generations. No matter what point they are in their lives, they will always have a home here in National Book Store – whether they are readers, artists, students, even the whole family. We are proud to remain a constant in everyone's journey, nurturing the passions and inspiring the growth of every Filipino. Our founders, Socorro Cancio – Ramos, Jose Ramos, and their family, embodied hard work and powerful leadership and persevered against all odds. Their once small stall in Escolta, despite having been burnt to the ground during the Japanese occupation and later ravaged by a typhoon, would persevere and prosper amidst such great adversity. It is this resilience and relentlessness that took us to heights they once thought were impossible. Their journey is an inspiration for Filipinos everywhere, and a reminder of the humble beginnings of one of the country's most loved institutions. 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. 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.