The Popular Group evolved from Cheng Hing Company established by the late Mr Chou Sing Chu in 1924, during the boom time of the Chinese book business, in the busy port of Tanjong Pagar.

World Book Company was established by Mr. Chou Sing Chu in the early 1930's in South Bridge Road, and was engaged in the distribution and publishing of Chinese books. It became one of the four most prestigious Chinese books publishers in Singapore since then.

The first Popular Bookstore was set up in 1936 by Mr. Chou Sing Chu in North Bridge Road, focusing on retailing Chinese books and stationery.

In 1949, after World War II, Popular commenced publishing activities in Hong Kong under the trade name of World Publishing Company to publish magazines and Chinese books and these magazines and Chinese books were distributed locally and in Asia markets.

In 1975, the Singapore bookstore operations launched the “bilingual bookstore” concept and brought the concept over to Malaysia in 1984 to further its regional expansion strategy.

The Group currently carries out its publishing activities through subsidiaries operating in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Canada. Its bookstore operations currently have a network of over 90 Popular Bookstores and 360 Popular managed bookstores. It now has its core businesses in retail, distribution, publishing and e-learning. Its subsidiaries are in Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Mainland China, and Canada.