The nine-week holiday selling period at Barnes & Noble was another rough one, with same-store sales down 5.4 percent at $1.1 billion (and bear in mind that the comps a year ago were down 7 percent from 2007). Sales at BN.com rose 17 percent however, at $134 million, in large part because of nook revenues recognized in that period. (BN.com had sales of $114 million in the same period a year ago. When the company reported second quarter earnings in late November, BN.com was up 9 percent for the period. So figure that recognized nook revenues are roughly between $10 […]
Bookstores
Bookselling: Revolution Books "In Peril"
The New York City story is having a benefit this Friday night, featuring Wally Shawn, as part of their drive to raise $100,000 to keep the store “open and thriving.”Revolution home page
Simon & Schusters Cuts Field Reps, Launches Telemarketing Group
Due to “the changing nature of the market place,” Simon & Schuster is reducing and reorganizing its staff of field sales reps, eliminating nine salespeople and leaving a new structure of just seven field reps: John Muse (MA, CT, RI and parts of NY); Tim Hepp (parts of PA, NJ, VA, MD and Washington, DC); Leah Hays (IL, OH, WI, MN); Michael Smith (Hastings, other select retailers); Amy Schoppert (WA, OR, CO); Kelly Stidham (CA, AZ); Laura Webb (LA, SF, UT). They will work under director, field sales, Michael Croy. Sales and marketing evp Michael Selleck says the “new field […]
Borders UK Online Assets Are Sold
The Capital Organisation, an investment group, has purchased the defunct Borders UK’s online operation and a database of over a million customers for an undisclosed price, the Bookseller reports. Operating under the less tarnished Books etc brand (a part of Borders UK), the buyer “is thought to be planning to merge the website with two other retail sites it already owns – goodmusic.co.uk and sellstudentstuff.com.”
Bookselling: After 10 Years of No Profits, Joseph-Beth Sees Plan for Growth; Art Publishers Expand Their Book Boutiques
Neil Van Uum of Joseph-Beth Booksellers admits to the Cincinnati Enquirer that the bookstore group has not turned a profit for a decade. “It’s been a bloodbath for 10 years,” he says. “But we’re finally seeing an opportunity to gain market share.” Group sales have been flat, at $45 million annually, since 2005. But Van Uum expects growth of 8 or 9 percent this year, driven by additions to the group. With seven stores in five states, Joseph-Beth just opened a hospital gift shop at the Cleveland Clinic under the banner of their new Joseph-Beth Wellness Retail division, and they […]
Bookselling: Bankruptcy for Canada's McNally Robinson; Eso Won Expects Another Tough Year; Northshire Hails Haslett Novel
Much-admired Canadian indie McNally Robinson Booksellers has entered bankruptcy and will close two of its four stores immediately: one in Polo Park in Winnipeg and their Toronto store in the new Shops at Don Mills mall. 170 of the bookseller’s 425 full- and part-time employees will lose their jobs as result. Co-owner Paul McNally says that as long as the company’s bankruptcy plan is approved the other two stories, in Winnipeg and Saskatoon, will remain open. “They make money,” he said. “They have a loyal following,” while the other two “new stores absolutely did not perform.” The Winnipeg Free Press […]