On October 15, 1992, the first bookstore opened in Mumbai’s Kemps Corner. Crossword gained widespread praise for its accomplishment when it became a fully owned subsidiary of Shopper’s Stop Ltd. in 2005. Crossword was designated one of the 1994 Marketing Superstars by Advertising Age magazine. It is “being on the cutting edge of retailing” in India, according to the bookseller.
Crossword Bookstores – Quick Overview
| Particular | Details |
| Company Name | Crossword Bookstores Ltd. |
| Type | Retail Bookstore Chain |
| Industry | Books, Stationery & Lifestyle Retail |
| Founded / Established | 1992 |
| Founders | R. Sriram & K. Anita |
| First Store | 15 October 1992 – Kemps Corner, Mumbai |
| Headquarters | Mumbai & Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Parent / Ownership History | Acquired by Shoppers Stop (K Raheja Corp) in 2005; majority stake later sold to Agarwal Business House (ABH) |
| Core Business | Retail of books, magazines, stationery, toys & gifts; community events |
| Products & Services | Books (fiction, non-fiction), stationery, premium toys, events (reading sessions, author meets) |
| Area Served | India (multiple cities & online) |
| Store Network | 90+ stores across 30+ cities (as of 2025) |
| E-commerce Presence | Online book sales via crossword.in & third-party marketplaces |
| Notable Initiatives | Hosts Crossword Book Award, author events, reading sessions |
| Business Focus | Inspiring reading culture & community through curated retail experiences |
| Company Size / Employees | ~201–500 employees (approx.) |
| Registered Office / CIN | Incorporated 03 Nov 1999; CIN: U52396MH1999PLC122528 |
| Estimated Revenue (FY2024) | ₹100–500 crore (approx.) |
| Official Website | crossword.in |
Net Worth and Market Cap
In 2024, Crossword Bookstores Private Limited’s net profit margin dropped by 16.13%.
Corporate leadership
On October 15, 1992, the first bookstore opened in Mumbai’s Kemps Corner. Crossword became a fully owned subsidiary of Shopper’s Stop Ltd. in 2005.
Overview of Services
Crossword Bookstores, one of India’s leading bookstore chains, first opened its doors in Mumbai in 1992. It has developed into a pan-Indian retail brand that fosters a community of readers while providing a wide range of books, stationery, toys, and events. The company was first purchased by Shoppers Stop (K Raheja Corp) in 2005, but under the main franchisee, Agarwal Business House, it has recently experienced franchise expansion and a reinvigorated focus.
The company Crossword Bookstores Private Limited is based in Pune, India. The business is in the bookstore sector. On November 3, 1999, the business was incorporated. As of 2024, it employed 775 people in total. According to the company’s most current financial statistics, net sales revenue increased by 84.95% in 2024. The total assets of Crossword Bookstores Private Limited increased by 33.4% over that period.
Scale of Operations
More than forty cities, including Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Gandhinagar, Goa, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kohima, Kolkata, Kanpur, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Mangalore, Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Noida, Kalyan, Nagpur, Nashik, Raipur, Ranchi, Siliguri, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Udaipur, and Vadodara, have Crossword stores. Additionally, the company established and supports the Crossword Book Award.
