National Bookstore mulls IPO

MANILA, Philippines - National Bookstore Inc. (NBS), the country’s largest book and supplies retailer, is seriously mulling an initial public offering (IPO) to fund expansion in Southeast Asia.

“We’re seriously thinking about going public,” said NBS president Alfredo Ramos but declined to give a timetable for the offering.

An IPO is a means of raising funds for expansion and capital, employed by companies as a cheaper alternative to the more expensive debt instruments such as bonds and bank loans.

It is done by selling a portion of the company’s shares of stock at a price based on its book value or on its projected earnings for the year. These shares are then listed with the PSE so that stockholders and investors may trade the issue.

Ramos said the company, which has yet to tap a financial advisor, is looking at China as future site for expansion after successfully penetrating Hong Kong.

Setting up branches overseas will provide the company with additional cashflow.

Ramos said the company is pursuing its expansion locally with plans to open seven to eight branches this year to compliment its existing 127 stores nationwide.

NBS has developed a convenience-type store concept named NBS Book Express. It also owns another bookstore called Powerbooks, music stores Tower Records and Music One, Gift Gate. It also has a department store dubbed Crossings.