2024 marks POPULAR’s 100th anniversary as a homegrown brand made for serving the people. Join us in tracing this illustrious journey over a century!

2024 marks POPULAR’s 100th anniversary as a homegrown brand made for serving the people. Join us in tracing this illustrious journey over a century!

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Celebrating a Century
The POPULAR story began in Singapore in 1924, under the trade name Cheng Hing Company as well as World Book Company, when the latter was set up in 1934. They were eventually housed under the Popular Book Company as we became a key retailer of Chinese books at that time. The name, POPULAR Bookstore, 大众书局, is one that’s borne out of a staunch commitment to serving the people. Even so, no one at that time might have imagined the homegrown brand forging forward a century later, in the same spirit it had 100 years before.

 In celebration of our momentous 100th anniversary, we present the celebratory theme — A Century of Wisdom. POPULAR’s history in the book business has made us synonymous with education, knowledge, and wisdom. Through the years, our dedication towards fostering a culture of reading and learning has raised the importance of books in shaping the minds and talents of individuals. This theme also symbolises how our wide selection of books has enriched the minds of our customers and allowed them to explore new worlds as we play our part in the development of an enlightened and well-informed society. The theme encapsulates POPULAR’s promise to serve as a beacon of knowledge for generations before, and will continue to do so for generations to come.

 

In the visual representation of the theme, we drew inspiration from the mighty oak tree, which is often referred to as the ‘tree of life’. It embodies longevity, stability, and endurance, all of which are qualities that have been revered through the ages. POPULAR is a lot like the roots of an oak tree as well, as we are deeply entrenched in the quest of wisdom and knowledge. Holding on to this foundation, we nurture the growth of the leaves which represents our cherished loyal customers. The use of the striking red colour throughout the logo not only draws a parallel with POPULAR’s iconic red, but also represents prosperity and success. The oak tree’s growth is pictured as growing beyond the number 100, signifying POPULAR’s aspirations to persist and thrive in the years ahead.

In the visual representation of the theme, we drew inspiration from the mighty oak tree, which is often referred to as the ‘tree of life’. It embodies longevity, stability, and endurance, all of which are qualities that have been revered through the ages. POPULAR is a lot like the roots of an oak tree as well, as we are deeply entrenched in the quest of wisdom and knowledge. Holding on to this foundation, we nurture the growth of the leaves which represents our cherished loyal customers. The use of the striking red colour throughout the logo not only draws a parallel with POPULAR’s iconic red, but also represents prosperity and success. The oak tree’s growth is pictured as growing beyond the number 100, signifying POPULAR’s aspirations to persist and thrive in the years ahead.

Tracing the Milestones

POPULAR Singapore’s growth over the century is one that’s mirrored in the nation’s developmental arc. We transformed from a Chinese bookstore into a bilingual bookstore in support of the nation’s bilingual policy. As the learning needs of the nation and the functional needs of family units evolve, so did POPULAR’s offerings. We went on to introduce stationery and textbooks & assessment books in our stores to give parents and students a one-stop solution to their academic endeavours.

 We understand that parental responsibilities go beyond the academics. From staying connected with your kids to knowing the latest trends in school, being a parent is 24/7. So, getting presents for your kids or their friends should be as fuss-free as possible, with our choice selection of lifestyle gifts, novelty knick-knacks, toys, games, and titbits! These added offerings catered to new-age parents make every trip to POPULAR a fun-filled moment of bonding for parents and children alike.

 In recent years, we’ve leveraged on technology to rejuvenate the shopping experience, including the launch of our e-commerce platform, POPULAR Online, and the use of Self-Checkout Kiosks in stores. The POPULAR Membership programme launched in 1990 to offer more discounts and privileges to our loyal shoppers has also been upgraded continually, such as the digitisation of the application process and the launch of an e-Card and e-Vouchers that will allow members to enjoy the latest deals anytime, anywhere!

 

Because of You, We Are POPULAR!

Today, POPULAR is more than a bookstore. While we remain rooted in our history of books and championing a reading and learning culture, we have also become a one-stop retail concept that serves everyone in the family. Yet, we are keenly aware that it is the support from generations of loyal customers that have allowed us the opportunity to be who we are today. With 100 years behind us, it is truly a privilege that we can stay true to our promise of serving the people.

 To show our appreciation and gratitude to our loyal customers through the years, stay tuned to this space and make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter and following our social media pages for news and updates on our celebratory activities and anniversary deals just for you! Here’s to the next century ahead!

 

Because of You, We Are POPULAR!

Today, POPULAR is more than a bookstore. While we remain rooted in our history of books and championing a reading and learning culture, we have also become a one-stop retail concept that serves everyone in the family. Yet, we are keenly aware that it is the support from generations of loyal customers that have allowed us the opportunity to be who we are today. With 100 years behind us, it is truly a privilege that we can stay true to our promise of serving the people.

 To show our appreciation and gratitude to our loyal customers through the years, stay tuned to this space and make sure you are subscribed to our newsletter and following our social media pages for news and updates on our celebratory activities and anniversary deals just for you! Here’s to the next century ahead!