World of Books (Wob)

Brand History and Origin

World of Books (now rebranded as Wob) was founded in 2002 by a group of book lovers in the United Kingdom. What began as a small operation to rescue books from charity shops that would otherwise be sent to landfills has grown into one of the world's largest retailers of used books. The brand's core mission centers on the circular economy, promoting literacy and sustainability by repurposing pre-loved literature.

Ownership and Global Operations

The brand is headquartered in Goring-by-Sea, West Sussex, and operates primarily as an online marketplace. Over the years, the company has transitioned from a local British startup to a global powerhouse in the re-commerce space. Following a period of significant growth, the company attracted international investment to scale its operations.

Current Manufacturing and Distribution

While the products themselves (books) are manufactured by various global publishers, World of Books manages the processing, quality control, and distribution primarily from its massive automated facilities in the United Kingdom. In 2021, the company was acquired by Livingbridge, a private equity firm, though it continues to operate under its ethos as a Certified B Corporation, meeting high standards of social and environmental performance.