According to a story in the Wall Street Journal, Barnes & Noble Inc. has decided not to pursue an acquisition of number two book seller Borders Group, Inc. Concerns about the length of some of Borders’ store leases was reportedly one of the reasons for B&N’s decision. Reuters (Aug. 14, 2008)
Bob Gremillion has been named interim publisher for the Chicago Tribune. Gremillion expects to hold the job for a couple of months maximum and said that he would decline a permanent job if offered. E and P (June 29, 2008)
The Books Category Manager for Border’s (U.K.) Caroline Mileham, claims “One of the first things I did when I came over was reduce our rate card [the co-operative marketing fees charged to publishers].”
thebookseller.com
Borders (U.K.) is set to try a new inventory management system at the end of June. A roll-out is planned for their 40 stores this autumn. Bookseller.com (June 18, 2008)
Borders Books, in conjuction with the United Kingdom’s Magazine Week (Sept 29 – Oct 5), will be the first ever British retailer to hold a price-based promotion on magazines. PPA News (June 5, 2008)
Borders Group Inc. today announced plans to reduce its corporate workforce by 20% or 275 positions, including more than 150 positions at its Ann Arbor, MI, headquarters. The cuts, which will not affect store personnel, are part of the retailer’s reduce annual expenses by $120 million. AP at Forbes The Wall Street Journal Paid subscription may [...]
Book publishers sold 3.13 billion units last year, up from 3.1 in 2006, although mass market, smaller size paperbacks (often thrillers and romances) are falling out of favor. Their sales dropped to 541.8 million copies, from 575.1 in 2006. The industry is gathering in Los Angeles today for the second day of BookExpo America, during a “…time [...]
Borders Group Inc. is making a comeback into online retailing after a seven year pairing with Amazon.com, though experts say that it will be quite a task to compete with its former partner and online juggernaut Amazon.com. The launch of Borders’ new website comes a little over two months following the announcement that it [...]
Barnes & Noble, Inc., has assembled a team of executives and advisors to review purchasing Borders Group, Inc, the number two bookstore operator, which put itself up for sale in March. A combined B&N and BGI — if federal regulators allowed it — would control roughly a third of the retail book market. The Wall [...]
Barnes & Noble Inc. announced today that will begin selling magazine subscriptions, both in digital and print formats, via its website BN.com. BN.com has partnered with Zinio to fulfill digital magazines and M2 Media Group will fulfill paper-based subscriptions. In addition to the over 1,000 magazine titles available, more than 12,000 back issues of selected [...]