Koorong is a Christian bookstore chain operating across Australia. It is the largest retailer of Bibles, Christian books and media in Australia. It is owned by Excelsia University College. Koorong currently operates online and at 15 stores across the country.
History Koorong began as a family-owned company over 40 years ago in Marsfield, Sydney, in the garage of the Koorong Street home of Bruce Bootes - a retired veterinarian and Reformed Baptist pastor - and his wife Olive.See the Koorong General FAQ webpage . Retrieved on 8 May 2009. In 1978, their son, Paul began the management of his family's bookshop business.See a brief profile of Paul Bootes on the Gospel Music Association Board Profile webpage . Retrieved on 8 May 2009.
Koorong opened their first Sydney store in Ryedale Road, West Ryde in 1978, moving to larger premises in West Parade, West Ryde in 1995.See the Koorong History page for these dates. In August 2005, Koorong took over the three Church Army bookstores at Newcastle, Tamworth and Gosford.See the Church Army August 2005 newsletter. Retrieved on 7 May 2009. Koorong now operates 14 stores across Australia, including Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Perth, Fyshwick, Toowoomba and Launceston, with approximately 400 staff, Australia-wideAs reported on 2 August 2005 in a Mitel Press Release . Retrieved on 7 May 2009. and a brochure mailing list of about 120,000.Koorong also operates a busy online store.
As at November 2004, the Australian Prayer Network thanked Koorong for mailing out its prayer newsletter in Koorong's monthly catalogue, with a size of 120,000. Retrieved on 11 May 2009. The August 2005 Mitel case study also gave a figure of about 120,000. Retrieved on 12 May 2009.
Koorong was described in 1994 as theologically conservative in terms of the books it sold, which was consistent with its Reformed Baptist roots.See the Association for Research in Education 1994 paper by Robert Long . Retrieved on 11 May 2009. Since that time, Koorong's product range has expandedKoorong advertises on its website that it has 150,000 Christian products. to a broader coverage of the diverse sub-groups and movements associated with contemporary evangelical Christianity, including, for example: Church Growth movement, Charismatic Movement, Progressive Christianity, neo-Calvinism, Emerging church, and the Missional Church movement. Denominational streams represented include Reformed/Presbyterian, Baptist, Anglican, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Anabaptist, and Wesleyan.
In addition to a comprehensive range of Bibles, the subject categories and themes of Koorong's product range include: practical guidance on Christian living; popular devotionals; apologetics; academic theology and biblical studies; ministry resources; romance, suspense, and historical fiction; inspirational giftware; classic authors; Bible reference works and commentaries; contemporary worship music.See
In December 2009 Koorong purchased UK-based book publisher Authentic Media and Paternoster Publishers from IBS-STL. In 2014, Koorong acquired a significant share of BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC, with a creative HQ based in Minneapolis.
In August 2015 Koorong was acquired by Bible Society Australia. Bible Society Australia's CEO Greg Clarke had said: "We will now be able to share our important Bible work with, and garner support from, Koorong customers. What’s more, those who shop at Koorong can now know that their purchases will fund even more important Bible mission projects here and around the world.".See Bible Society Australia acquires Koorong in partnership to increase access to God’s word. Retrieved on 17 August 2015. The Bootes family retained ownership of Authentic Media, Paternoster Press and their share of BroadStreet Publishing Group LLC. The purchase of Koorong Books Pty Limited and Crossroads Pty Limited had a cost of $6.5 million.
After 40 years in the Christian bookselling industry, Paul Bootes retired as managing director of Koorong in July 2017 and his brother, Rob Bootes became CEO. In July 2018, after Rob Bootes stepped down, David Foster took over the reins at Koorong as general manager. In February 2020 Koorong announced a brand refresh across digital platforms and stores.
Koorong was acquired by Excelsia University College, effective 31 March 2025. Richard Grellman, Deputy Chair, Excelsia University College commented:
References
External links