Saturday, October 11, 2025
  • Lowyat.NET
  • Lipstiq
  • Murai MY
  • Miss Murai
  • Varnam
  • Moviedash
  • Autofreaks
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests
Hype Malaysia
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests
No Result
View All Result
Hype Malaysia
No Result
View All Result
Home Featured

How BookXcess Went From Being A Small Magazine Store To Malaysia’s Largest Online Bookstore

by Afiq Amin
December 12, 2024
BookXcess

Source: BookXcess

19
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Whatsapp

Previously, we shared the story of Malaysia’s oldest book establishment and how it managed to survive for over 100 years. While still on the topic of bookstores, this feature will focus on one of the newer ones—specifically, Malaysia’s largest online bookstore. That’s right, we’re talking about BookXcess.

Not only can you find some physical stores in shopping centres but a few are also located in somewhat hidden corners across the country. Just like its competitors, BookXcess has a wide range of book genres, from fiction and biography to lifestyle and education. Have you ever wondered how this establishment came to be? Let’s begin with how the founders Jacqueline Ng and Andrew Yap started the business.

Source: BigBadWolf

Jacqueline Ng grew up in Singapore. Due to financial struggles, her family never encouraged she and her siblings to read or spend money on books. “I was one of the very few among all my classmates to not have a library card. The only things I used to read were Chinese newspapers and my school textbooks,” she recalled. Who knew that one day she would come to love reading? The future business owner recalled inviting a friend over but the friend refused to put down her book.

Curious, she started to read the book and soon became a book lover. After marrying her husband Andrew Yap, the couple moved to Malaysia and opened up a small magazine store in 2009. They then formed a partnership with the book rental shop from across theirs. The owner asked if they could help sell some English books. The couple agreed to sell the remaining English books under the name BookXcess. The reason for this arrangement was that international publishers like HarperCollins and Penguin Books sold 80% of their books to traditional bookstores. The 20% left was sold at discounted prices to places like the book rental shop.

No Purchase Necessary! BookXcess Is Giving Away 200,000 Books For Free

This was the beginning of BookXcess. As the business grew, the owners learned that Malaysian families struggle with finding the right books for their children to learn English. “A lot of Malaysians are not fluent in English. We were one small stall, and we were on a mission to change an entire country. It was a very daunting task. It was one book at a time,” said Jacqueline. One of the ways to tackle this issue was to keep their prices low and offer free gift-wrapping services for customers.

Source: DHL

Knowing that they could attract more readers, the couple took the next big step, one that was arguably risky. The founders decided to run a giant book sale in an office building in Selangor and you guessed it, they named it Big Bad Wolf, which is also the name of their company. “Coming up with a name and a character children can relate to was very important. We have to start them young,” said Andrew. Fast forward to 2011, the Big Bag Wolf team launched their first big book sale in Kuala Lumpur where they had over 1.5 million titles on display 24 hours a day. With that much success domestically, it was time to go international! The book sale has made its way to other countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Dubai.

Finally, in 2006, the couple opened their first BookXcess outlet in Amcorp Mall. The business has since grown and achieved multiple milestones. One such achievement was the opening of Malaysia’s first-ever 24-hour bookshop at Tamarind Square, which we’re sure many of you are familiar with or have visited at least once. One might assume that the company would have struggled during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the lockdown was actually a blessing in disguise. In an interview with The Rakyat Post, Andrew Yap revealed that sales had actually gone up since everyone was looking for new ways to pass the time. “People were at home; some find themselves with nothing to do, some searching for meaningful things to do,” he said.

No Purchase Necessary! BookXcess Is Giving Away 200,000 Books For Free
Source: Lemon8, BookXcess, Facebook/Have A Trip

During the MCO, the team improved their website and increased advertising, which was why sales did not drop at an alarming rate. Despite going digital at the time, the company refused to abandon physical retail, as it was a huge part of their identity. “Of course, it might not be convenient for one to go to a bookstore all the time, so there is a need for both physical and online stores. We want to capitalise on this opportunity and capture as much market share as possible,” Andrew explained.

Today, BookXcess is known as one of the most popular bookstores in Malaysia. Their flagship store was officially launched at the historic REXKL in 2022, and this is the kind of maze that many wouldn’t mind exploring. As for the owners, Jacqueline Ng and Andrew Yap are still on a mission to make reading and learning more accessible to everyone. It’s inspiring to see that their love and passion for reading have spread across more areas of Malaysia, as well as other countries.

Sources: BookExcess (1)(2), TatlerAsia, Options, BackScoop, TRP, TheEdgeMalaysia

Andrew YapBookXcessBookXcess origin storyJacqueline Ng
https://lomp.at/5l7wh
Share8SendTweet5Share

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook or Telegram for more updates and breaking news. 

FOLLOW THE HYPE

Lifestyle

vivo V60 Lite 5G Launches In Malaysia For Nonstop Fun & Stunning Night Shots

by Dean Zaini
October 10, 2025

vivo Malaysia has rolled out the vivo V60 Lite 5G, a phone made for people who never press pause. Sleek,...

Read more
Image: Freepik
Lifestyle

From Discounts To Cashbacks: Here Are 5 Ways To Earn & Save With ShopeePay

It goes without saying that everyone likes a good deal. Rather than spending all  your hard-earned money in one go,...

Read more
by Kiran P Ganesan
October 9, 2025
Lifestyle

Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hosts ‘Coffee Date’ in Celebration of Brew with Benefits Campaign

Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre recently hosted an exclusive Coffee Date activation at R Bar on 30th September...

Read more
by Shangkari
October 6, 2025
Lifestyle

LEGOLAND® Malaysia’s Brick-or-Treat Monster Party Returns for Spookiest Season Yet

Halloween comes alive once again at LEGOLAND® Malaysia Resort as the highly anticipated Brick-or-Treat Monster Party makes its return –...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
October 3, 2025
Lifestyle

Devialet Phantom Ultimate Lands In KL & Turns Music Into Pure Emotion

Devialet, the French audio powerhouse known for pushing the limits of sound, has finally brought its latest creation—the Phantom Ultimate—to...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
October 2, 2025
Lifestyle

HOYA Expands A Million Visions With Free Kids’ Eye Exams This World Sight Day

Kids today spend more time on TikTok than in the playground—and our eyes are paying the price. Experts predict that...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
October 2, 2025
Lifestyle

From Law Books To Runway Looks: Charlotte Netto Is Miss MalaysiaIndian Global 2025

The 26th Annual Miss MalaysiaIndian Global (MMIGLOBAL) Grand Finals lit up Klang as Johor-born Charlotte Netto, 28, a lawyer based...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
October 1, 2025
Photo Credit: Pexel / Kaboompics.com
Lifestyle

Morning vs. Night Hair Routines: When Should You Wash Your Hair?

Hair care isn't just about the products you use – timing matters too. Whether you lather up at sunrise or...

Read more
by Dean Zaini
September 23, 2025
Load More


TOP STORIES TODAY

  1. 1

    DPR Ian Calls Out Former Labelmate & Exposes Ongoing Conflict Within Company

  2. 2

    (Photos) HK Actress Nancy Wu Ties The Knot With Doctor BF Akin Chan

  3. 3

    (Video) Influencer Apologises To Aaron Aziz After Slander Accusation; Actor & Family Plan Legal Action

  4. 4

    DPR Live Responds To DPR Ian Following Artist’s Online Outburst

  5. 5

    90s HK Singer Shirley Kwan Reportedly Rushed To ICU Over Critical Condition

Malaysia’s live-wire for the latest news, trends, and entertainment is finally here. We are your calendar, your grapevine, your comic relief, your post-event coverage, and your celebrity stalker. Did we also mention that we are also your gateway to the world?



Contact us: newsdesk@hype.my



  • About
  • Advertise
  • Jobs
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hype Picks
    • Go
    • Eats
    • Style
    • Streams
    • Concerts
  • Celebs
    • K-pop
  • Music
    • Reviews
    • Interviews & Features
  • Movies & TV
    • Movies
    • TV
    • Features
  • Lifestyle
    • Tech
    • Travels
    • News
  • Giveaways
    • Contests

©2025 Vijandren Ramadass. All Rights Reserved.