Rakuten Kobo Partners MEB Corp to Launch E-Readers in Thailand
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Rakuten Kobo, a global leader in e-readers, has partnered with MEB Corporation, Thailand's leading e-book platform and e-reader distributor, to capitalize on positive market factors. The Thai e-reader market is booming, with electronic reading adoption jumping 66 percent as younger generations pursue social media detox and turn to reading for relaxation and self-improvement, boosting e-reader demand. Since its launch, Rakuten Kobo sales have surged, and the company is now advancing an omnichannel strategy, debuting the ReaderShip.me online store and joining hands with B2S to open four Kobo flagship stores.
Julian Cho, General Manager of Rakuten Kobo Asia, said the official launch of Rakuten Kobo e-readers with MEB Corporation in early 2026 at the National Book Week in March exceeded expectations. Despite being in the early stages, Thailand's e-reader market shows clear growth trends with continuously rising sales, and the Thai e-book market is projected to remain on an upward trajectory for the next three to five years. This aligns with Southeast Asian market trends, where Thailand's advantage lies in its digitally savvy younger population that loves reading and is eager to consume digital content. This is a key driver for promoting e-readers as premium reading devices offering convenience and eye protection through ComfortLight PRO technology, which automatically reduces blue light all day, enabling longer, more focused reading without distractions compared to smartphones and tablets. Strategically, Rakuten Kobo positions Thailand as a key hub to drive e-reader expansion across ASEAN and Asia.
The collaboration with MEB Corporation Public Company Limited, as distribution partner, brings the Rakuten Kobo brand directly to Thai readers by leveraging Thai market insights to support retail expansion, including additional online and offline retail touchpoints. For brand awareness, the partners engage customers and readers through various channels including the National Book Week, Thai reading communities, and other relevant platforms, while introducing Rakuten Kobo's library of over eight million English and other language titles. The partnership targets international schools across Thailand, numbering around 280 institutions with high purchasing power.
Rawiwan Mahasit, CEO of MEB Corporation Public Company Limited, revealed that global and Thai e-reader market trends are aligned. Data from Mordor Intelligence estimates the global e-reader market will reach approximately $8.31 billion in 2025 and grow to $11.94 billion by 2031 (average 6.24% growth).
