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Aug, 09 2011

Book your Success

Armed with a unique concept, JustBooks aspires to be the country's first networked pan-Indian community library chain, catering to the reading needs of all. The brand is eyeing aggressive expansion via the franchise format.

WHAT started off as a standalone library in one community with a few hundred members has now transformed into a full-fledged chain of libraries, connecting thousands of readers with a colossal range of books. JustBooks - the brand that offers unique services, commenced its operations from Bengaluru in 2008, and has now diversified to four other cities Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and Mysore. Started by a team of retail and technology professionals, the brand was incubated and nurtured at NSRCEL- IIM Bangalore.

Extending beyond the traditional book-centric cataloguing and classification functions of a library, JustBooks offers a range of reader-centric services to its members, including free door delivery, personalised reading recommen-dations and luxury of maintaining a personal 'read-next-register' to queue up all the titles that a member wishes to read.

With such a unique concept, the brand ever since its inception, has been braced with success and has been receiving regular enquiries from prospective franchisees across India. This impressive response has propelled the brand to take up the franchise route.

Currently, JustBooks operates in three formats - the full format, satellite and the pocket format. A JustBooks franchisee is usually handheld right from the induction with assistance in the manner of speaking and end-to-end. Right from making the franchisee understand the nuances of this business model to the launch of the library (this includes site selection, store fit out, branding and even marketing, which is aimed at creating awareness and visibility before and after library opening, staff training etc), the brand ensures permanent support through the supply of books on a continual basis.

Target territories

JustBooks plans to set up libraries in the metros apart from tier-II locations.

>>THE USP: JustBooks offers book-lovers a traditional library with a modern retail store ambience, combined with RFID technology, which makes reading a memorable experience.

BOX_1

FRANCHISE INFO

Investment: 10-15 lakh 

Area: Full format libraries (1,000-1,200 sq. ft),

Satellite (500-600 sq. ft)

and pocket libraries (300 sq.ft)

Location: High visibility, easy accessibility

RoI: 20-25 per cent

Expected break-even: Operational: 6-8

months, investment: 3-4 years

Franchise units: 40+

BOX_2

R SUNDAR RAJAN,

Founder Director & CEO, JustBooks

Just Books commenced its operations from Bengaluru in 2008 and has now diversified to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune and Mysore. Our plan is to set up libraries in all metros apart from tier-II locations.

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