Elmia Bookstores

About Elmia Bookstores & School Supplies

Elmia Bookstores, formally known as Elmia Bookstores for School Supplies W.L.L, is a premier educational provider based in Bahrain. With over two decades of leadership in trading, educational, and used books, Elmia has evolved into a one-stop solution for academic institutions and individual learners. Nestled in Salmabad (1st Floor, Building 250, Block 704, Road 410), the store is also known for its expansive app and dedicated customer service team.

Extensive Range of Books & Supplies

Elmia’s inventory spans a broad spectrum of categories tailored to every reader’s needs—covering fiction, non-fiction, school textbooks, workbooks, children's literature, reference materials, and more. Their catalog includes over 2,000 book titles in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish, organized by subject, language, publisher, and book type . Titles range from classic literature like Tom Sawyer and Tales From Shakespeare to primary readers such as The Ugly Duckling, along with specialized school workbooks for various grades. 

Beyond books, Elmia supplies essential school and office materials—stationery (pens, pencils, erasers), arts & craft supplies, educational toys, calculators, lab equipment, classroom furniture, visual aids, and more. This positions Elmia not just as a bookstore but as a full-service educational supplier.

Dedicated Educational Solutions

Catering largely to schools and educational institutions, Elmia offers bespoke services. From lab construction and furniture selection to complete classroom stocking and labeled deliveries by department or teacher, they address varied educational requirements. Clients can request quotations easily via phone or email—with Saudi Arabian customers even receiving on-site visits by sales reps.

A key advantage is their competitive pricing model: working with low markups, elite international suppliers, and efficient logistics, Elmia ensures excellent value for money. Their reputation for reliability is strengthened by prompt deliveries—supporting ocean freight for international shipments, air freight, and local dispatch—all complemented by strong customer support .

Seamless Digital Experience & App

Elmia enhances accessibility via its revamped mobile app (launched Nov 5, 2024) available on Android, enabling customers to browse, order, and arrange delivery from anywhere. The app is tailored for ease of use—offering intuitive navigation, order tracking, and responsive customer support. Though still early in its rollout, it reflects Elmia’s commitment to blending traditional retail with digital convenience.

Strategic Regional Presence & Growth Plans

As a Bahraini enterprise, Elmia has made significant strides in the GCC educational space. The company has earned a distinctive place in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, with expansions into Qatar, UAE, and Kuwait in the works. Its export-import operations mainly source educational products from India—highlighting partnerships with leading suppliers like Pearson India. The company has successfully imported 12 shipments recently, emphasizing its growing trade footprint.

Customer Support & After‑Sales Service

Elmia’s service excellence extends deeply into customer interactions. Their team is available for personalized consultations—offering guidance on book selection, school supplies, and lab configuration . Delivery timelines are transparent: air freight typically takes about four weeks, while ocean freight to the Middle East spans 4–6 weeks (and several months for destinations like the US, UK, and Australia) . Backorders are managed efficiently, shipped automatically upon restocking.

Why Choose Elmia?

Elmia has carved a niche as a dependable provider of educational solutions. Their strengths include:

• Comprehensive offerings – from books to furniture and lab solutions.
• Customized service – tailored to schools’ unique needs.
• Competitive pricing – through global sourcing and streamlined logistics.
• Digital innovation – with a modern mobile app to enhance accessibility.
• Regional growth – strong foothold in Bahrain and Saudi markets, with GCC-wide expansion.
• Reliable delivery – structured freight options and excellent support.

Elmia Bookstores exemplifies a modern educational provider that harmoniously blends traditional retail values with digital tools, logistical efficiency, and a customer-centric ethos. Whether you're a school administrator, teacher, parent, or student, Elmia offers a unified platform to meet all your academic and supply needs.

Payment Methods

• Cash Payments — Accepted at the physical store location.
• Credit & Debit Cards — Major cards like Visa, MasterCard, and possibly local debit cards are accepted for in-store and online purchases.
• Digital Wallets & Mobile Payments — Likely accepted options include Apple Pay, Google Pay, and regional wallets popular in Bahrain such as BenefitPay.
• Bank Transfers — For bulk or institutional orders, direct bank transfers or payment on invoice are commonly accepted.
• Online Payment Gateways — For orders placed via their website or app, secure online payment gateways facilitate card and digital wallet transactions.

Service Locations

Bahrain

• Head Office: Salmabad, Central Governorate
• Service Areas: Throughout Bahrain, including Manama, Riffa, Muharraq, and other key cities
• Distribution Center: Processes and ships orders locally

Saudi Arabia

• Primary Service Areas: Riyadh, Jeddah, and other major cities
• Services: Offers educational supplies and services to schools and institutions