The Big Bad Wolf of Book Sales: How BookXcess Built a 9-Figure Powerhouse

BookXcess began in 2007 with just 5,000 remaindered books. Today, it’s on track to hit RM100 million in sales, working directly with publishers to fulfil its mission of making books more affordable and accessible.

In 2009, Andrew Yap and Jacqueline Ng launched the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale, which has since become a global cultural phenomenon and has expanded to 37 cities in 14 countries, attracting 3 million visitors annually and selling over 15 million books.

From nearly going out of business during the pandemic, the company has rebounded, now operating over 22 outlets nationwide and 3 more in Singapore. In 2023, they achieved USD$4 million in profits and are set to surpass RM100 million in revenue this year, with plans to explore an IPO in 2026.

In this conversation, we explore:

- Andrew’s journey in building these two iconic brands.

the business model behind BookXcess and how they are working with publishers to play the high volume game

- Why BookXcess takes the risk of owning the books they sell instead of using consignment.

the challenges they’ve faced, including the logistical challenges of moving millions of books.

- How BookXcess is innovating with store designs and layouts, BookBots, “blind dates” with books, and more.

- Andrew’s vision for the future of BookXcess and Big Bad Wolf as they continue to grow in an evolving market.