Press Release: 21.04.2022 - World of Books Group one of only 7 to win two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise 2022

Circular economy pioneers World of Books Group is one of only seven companies to achieve two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in 2022.

Leading online book-seller and circular economy pioneers World of Books Group (Wob) has been honoured with two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise at this year’s awards - winning both the Sustainable Development Award and the International Trade Award. Wob is one of only seven companies to achieve two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise this year from a total of over 200 winners.

The company received its first award for its exemplary and comprehensive sustainability strategy, which uses a recommerce model to encourage consumers to shop more sustainably. Wob has also been granted an award for its contribution to international trade, harnessing innovative technologies to fuel expansion into international markets. This is the company's second win in the category, following a previous win in 2017.

Employing 720 people, World of Books Group was set up in 2002 when a group of book-loving entrepreneurs rescued a bag of books from a charity shop bin destined for landfill and sold them secondhand. Now in its 20th year, Wob has grown into a leading B Corp and global company driving the circular economy, selling over 12 million used books per year to customers in over 175 countries.

Graham Bell, CEO of World of Books Group, commented: ‘‘We are absolutely delighted to be recognised at this year’s Queen's Awards. One award win is brilliant, but to have won two awards really is a huge accolade, and is a testament to the hard work and amazing results our people have delivered.from . Since our foundation, World of Books Group has been committed to balancing profit and purpose and we feel honoured to have won our award for sustainable business. It is also fantastic to have another win reflecting our growth in the international market.”

The two awards come shortly after Wob launched its Impact Report, which saw the business exceed £100 million sales for the first time in 2020/21 whilst contributing to the equivalent of saving over 26,000 tonnes of new paper - which is over 449,000 trees.

Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the country, with winning businesses able to use the esteemed Queen’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

For more information on the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, visit https://www.gov.uk/queens-awards-for-enterprise.

-ENDS-

NOTES TO EDITORS

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About World of Books Group

• In 2002, World of Books Group was founded on an ethos to do good, protect the planet and support charities whilst making a positive impact on the world, all whilst continuing to offer our customers and communities more and more reasons to re-love a preloved book. More broadly, we are dedicated to our company mission to protect the planet and support charities. Today, we drive the circular economy through three re-commerce brands:
• Wob: Through Wob, we sell. We provide affordable, preloved books and media to customers all over the world. A book leaves our collection of over eight million titles and begins a new chapter every two seconds, enabling more goods to be reused.
• Ziffit: Through Ziffit, we buy. We give people around the world the opportunity to contribute to the circular economy, earn money and protect the planet, by trading their unwanted books and media.
• Shopiago: Through Shopiago, we help others. By sharing the technology that has grown World of Books Group into the business it is today, we’re helping charities increase revenue and reduce waste through re-commerce.