Book retailer Dymocks has announced the launch of its new education business, Potentia.

Potentia, which will open the first Learning Hub on October 15 in Bankstown followed by a Parramatta centre in late October, will feature a range of programs including high school tutoring in Maths and English and HSC tutoring across a broad range of subjects.

Steve Cox, Dymocks managing director, said the brand plans to expand the new business nationally with a view to opening an additional five sites within the first 12 months.

“Our national head office will launch in Sydney and we have targeted expansion plans across the Eastern states,” Cox said. “The long term aim is to roll out 30 learning hubs over the next five years and to make available our leading materials and systems to franchisees in regional areas.”

Dymocks said the company’s expansion into the education market is part of its long-term strategy of developing new vertical markets which innovate the business, align with its core education values, and complement its existing retail arms.

Cox said that for 140 years Dymocks locally owned and operated stores have worked closely with their local communities to improve children’s literacy and connect Australians with their next great read.

“Since 1879, Dymocks has supported a lifelong love of learning through reading,” he said. “Potentia is the natural next step in achieving our mission of education for life.”

This article was first published in Inside Retail, a sister site to Inside Franchise Business.