Barnes & Noble noted in a release that the New York State Attorney General subpoenaed the company as part of an investigation into online retailers who link customers to discount clubs that charge hidden fees. BN “said that it wants to reassure customers that it is not one of the retailers who turns over personal or credit or debit card information to discount clubs.” BN.com president William Lynch said the investigation “will show that Barnes & Noble does not, nor has it ever, shared customer debit or credit card information with discount clubs. Customers should be reassured that their personal […]
Bookstores
WH Smith Holiday Comps Down 5 Percent
In a brief trading update, UK retailer WH Smith congratulated itself for having same-store sales at their high street stores decline 5 percent for the eleven-week holiday selling period ending January 23–slightly weaker than the 4 percent comp decline for the past 21 weeks.Company release
Bookselling: Two More Store Closings
Greenville, SC’s The Open Book intends to close shortly after almost 40 years in business, with a closing sale starting this week. Owner Duff Bruce says, “It is emotional, I am emotional about the business, I am emotional about the customers, but you have to be a realist.”Local coverage Ohio’s The Mystery Company will also close shortly, after seven years in business. Jim Huang says in a blog post “business here has been rough for a while, especially since gas prices spiked in the summer of 2008.” Plus: “Independent booksellers need to find ways to participate in print on demand, […]
A Year Later, Borders CEO Marshall Leaves for A Better Job
When we reported Borders ever “disappointing” holiday sales earlier this month, we noted that the last time the chain did that poorly they changed chief executives–and lo and behold, after just a year in office, ceo Ron Marshall is departing, to take the ceo job at another unnamed publicly-held retailer. The company is initiating a search through Korn/Ferry, so clearly Marshall surprised the company by heading for the door. Chief merchandising officer Mike Edwards takes the interim ceo post, having worked at Borders since last September.Release
Bookselling: Controversies for Atticus and Borders, Amazon on The YA Decade
Atticus Bookstore and Cafe (near Yale University) has caused a stir with a policy requiring employees to speak English only in public areas. “Spanish is allowed in the prep area, the dishwasher area and the lower level. Let’s make our customers feel welcome and comfortable,” a copy of the policy says. In a statement owner Charles Negaro said: “We encourage the use of English because it’s an appropriate way to be most helpful to our customers. To continue to provide the best service possible, we try to help those employees who speak English as a second language by helping them […]
Borders Responds Further to Media Reports
Borders reiterated their own statements to Debtwire.com by further stating in their own release that “Borders has continued to pay its vendors in a timely manner, has not lengthened its days to pay, and has not been contacted by a group of publishers as alleged. Product is flowing to our stores for sale to customers. In fact, we have significantly increased book inventory in the fourth quarter compared to last year, a sign that we have continued to receive support from the vendor community. It is also important to note that we have not been contacted by any law firms […]