Tokyo-based brands operator Itochu has acquired a 5 per cent stake in Bookoff, and aims to support the retailer’s customer reach, store development, and overseas growth.

Founded in 1990, Bookoff is best known for selling second-hand books. It operates approximately 840 stores in Japan, Malaysia, and the US, and has since expanded to pre-loved apparel, luxury goods, hobby items, and sporting equipment.

The company has 9.87 million app members and records about 88 million annual users in Japan. 

Itochu said the partnership would combine its consumer market reach with Bookoff’s reuse model to support domestic and international growth.

Moreover, the company will allow Bookoff to access new customer touchpoints by leveraging its FamilyMart network of around 16,400 stores nationwide.

FamilyMart generates roughly 18 million daily store visits and holds 55 million advertising IDs linked to purchasing data, which Itochu uses across its retail and media ecosystem.

“We expect the alliance to improve Bookoff’s performance over the medium to long term and strengthen the company’s overall value,” Itochu said.

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