On Wednesday night Amazon and California state legislative leaders reached a tentative deal with respect to the state’s new online sales tax law. Under their agreement Amazon would not have to collect sales tax until September 2012, and in return the retailer would drop its referendum campaign to overturn the law, on which they have spent $5 million so far. “It’s a safe harbor for up to a year,” State Assemblyman Charles Calderon told the LAT of the agreement he helped strike. “If they can’t get Congress to act by next July, then they will start to collect the tax […]
Archives for September 2011
Bookselling: BAMM To Close Three Stores
Later on Thursday federal bankruptcy court is set to approve Books-A-Million’s deal to take over 14 store leases from Borders. At the same time, the now-second-largest book retailer is closing stores in Asheville, NC; Florence, SC, and Tupelo, MS by the end of next week. Each of these stores has been open more than 15 years, with approximately 60 people set to lose their jobs. Going out of business sales begin Thursday with books and other merchandise priced at 20 percent off. Citizen-Times SCNow NE MS Daily Journal Antiquarian bookstore Serendipity Books will close its Berkeley, CA shop after nearly […]
People, Etc.
At Penguin, Molly Barton has been promoted to vp, digital publishing and business development and strategy. Earlier this year she was responsible for launching the writing community website Book Country and was also responsible for developing Penguin eSpecials, expanding the publisher’s relationship with Starz, and spearheading Penguin’s enhanced ebook app program. Meagan Stacey has joined Crown as editor, trade paperbacks, reporting to Tina Pohlman. Previously she was an editor at Mariner Books. Project Gutenberg founder Michael S. Hart died September 6 at his home in Urbana, IL. He was 64 and the cause of death was not disclosed. He is […]
Digital Lifts Trade Profits At Wiley
John Wiley reported fiscal first quarter results, with sales of $430 million and adjusted operating income of $60 million. On a topline basis, both sales and adjusted earnings per share rose 5 percent, though those gains were almost entirely due to foreign exchange. On a currency-neutral basis, sales were slightly better than flat but adjusted earnings per share declined 3 percent. Sales were slightly better than analysts were expecting, but adjusted earnings per share of 68 cents fell short of projections of 75 a share (it’s a little tricky, however, since after special tax benefits earnings per share came in […]
Houghton Hires Microsoft Exec As New CEO
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has filled the ceo slot that has been vacant since financial genius-turned-mere-employee Barry O’Callaghan resigned in mid-March, The company has hired Linda K. Zecher as president, ceo and director, starting September 19. Most recently she was a corporate vp at Microsoft, running their $8 billion worldwide public sector business. HMH chairman of the board Lawrence Fish says in the announcement, “The board sought a ceo with proven executive experience, the ability to deliver financial results, and a deep familiarity with the technology and education space. Linda is the perfect fit.” Zecher says “I look forward to combining […]
Amazon to Launch in Spain on September 15
Spanish newspaper El País reports that Amazon will launch its dedicated Spanish site Amazon.es on September 15. As in Italy, the launch will feature Amazon’s usual mix of products, but only paper books. A Spanish Kindle store is said to be coming by the end of the year. As in Germany, Kindle’s first launch in continental Europe, Spain maintains fixed pricing for books and this is expected to apply to ebook prices as well. According to the paper, the pricing and timing of ebook releases will be determined by the publishers, though Amazon recommends that prices be set between 9 and 11 […]