JS Group is a forward looking business that can trace its roots back to 1751 when the bookseller John Smith and Son was founded in Glasgow.

John Smith and Son is the oldest bookselling company in the English speaking world and remains a vibrant, innovative business under the John Smith's brand. Today, John Smith's serves the needs of university students and faculty and we are proud to have been honoured as the UK Academic and Professional Bookseller of the Year in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

John Smith & Son was acquired by its present owner in 2001 and this acquisition was followed by the acquisitions of Hammicks Legal Information Services in 2003, the BMJ Bookshop in 2004 and Aztec Retail Services in 2006.

Since then the focus has been on investment, organic growth and the introduction of new products and services. There has been strong organic growth from John Smith's and Hammicks Legal Information Services. This core growth has been accompanied by the development of a presence in Africa with operations in Botswana and Ghana and the development and launch of the Aspire business in the UK.

These investments and our commitment to delivering better outcomes for our customers and partners has lead to a six-fold increase in revenues during the 10 years to 2011.