About us

In a nutshell

Leisure Books is South Africa's largest Book Club and offers its members the widest choice of the world's top authors – and prices are at least 20% cheaper than retail. Our book buyers choose the cream of the publishing crop with the latest bestsellers, reference, cookery, gardening, children's books and much more.

Members must select 1 book every 3 months from a free catalogue that is posted to them on a quarterly basis. Members can order via SMS, e-mail, website or calling the friendly contact centre – 021 469 7575 or 083 915 6060.

Small beginnings

During the early eighties two publishing visionaries, Koos Human and Leon Rousseau experimented with direct marketing using books with mass-market appeal. Needless to say, publishers across South Africa were also keen to distribute books to areas where bookstores were few and far between. Selling books via mail to the public proved to be a successful and viable opportunity with two very clear requirements:

• The offer had to include a wide verity of books.
• The offer had to be made on a regular basis

A concept used by the Bertelsmann Media Group, owners of the German Book Club, was identified as a business model. Bertelsmann agreed to share their expertise and assisted with the training of staff – an association which has continued to the present. As a result, Leserskring was established on 17 August 1980. The first catalogue offering books at a discounted price to Members was distributed via mail in October 1980. Members were recruited via media inserts, Direct mail campaigns and a Member-get member reward system.

Phenomenal growth

Within three weeks of its inception, Leserskring had 3 000 members – a figure that increased to 100 000 within two years. The membership continued to grow and soon a need for a Club for English readers was identified. Leisure Hour was started in 1982. Although its name has since been changed to Leisure Books, it still continues to be a successful enterprise.

Each year, the Clubs sell over a million books and as many people have been members in the past 31 years. In fact, more than 400 of the founding members of Leserskring are still active members! At present the Clubs have a joint membership of nearly 200 000 and an annual turnover of R130 million.

Adapting to a changing environment

In 1995, CDM (a Music Club) was established and with the acquisition of MusicDirect in 1999, its membership swelled to 80 000. With changes in the music industry, in particular the increasing popularity of downloads and the availability of music in different formats, this Club was closed in 2004. However, entertainment products (CDs and DVDs) are still offered to Book Club members.

The advent of the Internet posed a question regarding the impact on the buying behavior of readers. In 2003, the Book Clubs amalgamated with kalahari.net to form N-Direct. It soon became apparent, however, that the Clubs’ business model differed vastly from the online retailer’s and therefore these companies were separated again 2005.

The Books Clubs have been able to adapt to the new developments in e-commerce without losing focus of its objective of marketing a selection of top books to Club members via mail delivery. At present approximately 10% of orders are received via the Internet and the Clubs are continuously expanding its marketing possibilities this area.

Our Guarantee

Every item on this website carries an 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE.

If you're not 100% satisfied with the quality of your order, simply return it to us undamaged within 14 days. We will exchange it with pleasure or refund your money.

Benefits as a Member

A free bag set! Plus 3 books from R15 each for new members!

Save up to 20% off on normal retail prices in each quarterly catalogue.

A 100% unconditional money back guarantee

Choose a fantastic gift for yourself for every member you recruit!

A friendly Leisure Books Contact Centre

25% discount on selected magazines

The Leisure Books Team