Eslite Expands to Osaka, Targeting NT$30 Billion Revenue by 2028

Central News Agency, Taipei, May 28. Following its 2019 entry into Tokyo, Eslite Life announced today that it is expanding into Osaka, Japan. The company is also opening large-scale locations in Taiwan, including Gongguan and Taoyuan. Chair Mercy Wu revealed that negotiations for more large stores in Taiwan are ongoing, and a third store in Japan is in the pipeline. With these expansion efforts, the company expects revenue to reach NT$30 billion by 2028. At the shareholders' meeting, Wu announced that Eslite will partner with the century-old Japanese bookstore Yurindo to open a new location at 'NAMBA MARUI' in Osaka, scheduled for the second half of 2027. Eslite first expanded outside the Chinese-speaking world in 2019 with its Nihonbashi store, but slowed down due to the pandemic. Wu stated that current operations focus on Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan, with 49 locations globally. The Osaka store will be slightly smaller than the 800-ping Tokyo store but remains a large space within the department store. It aims to attract younger customers through anime IP and reading elements. Wu also noted that a third store in Japan is under negotiation. Last year's group revenue was NT$26 billion, with a target of NT$30 billion by 2028. Starting mid-June, Eslite will open exclusive member spaces, 'Eslite Member Lounges,' in Tainan, Taichung, and Taipei. With over 4 million members contributing over 60% of revenue, Wu emphasized that Eslite's extensive network allows it to present Japanese content more diversely than competitors like Tsutaya.