In February 2009, three former general managers of Borders stores filed suit in California and are seeking class action status, alleging that the bookseller improperly classified them as exempt employees and violated California Labor Code in a number of ways. Borders adds, “discovery has not commenced and we cannot reasonably estimate the amount or range of possible loss, if any, at this time. We intend to vigorously defend this action.” The company also notes that as of May 2, they had $112 million in funding available under their revolving credit agreement, though “this amount is not necessarily indicative of our […]
Bookstores
eNews: Indigo to Launch Their Own Device
CEO of dominant Canadian retailer Indigo Heather Reisman disclosed after a TV interview today that the company is “in final talks with a number of e-book reader manufacturers and will be choosing one to launch as their own in Canada by the end of this year.” Reisman indicated that neither Sony nor Amazon will be their partner.CTV tech blog
Crushed But Not Fermented: Online Web Guru Shares Tips for Booksellers
After hearing the big build-up for WineLibrary TV founder Gary Vaynerchuk I have to admit I found his Saturday BEA panel underwhelming–more beaujolais nouveau than aged vintage wine if you will. Vaynerchuk may be the first Web 2.0 motivational speaker, and as he let us know repeatedly, his simple but enthusiastic message is apparently in demand from a variety of companies. (I’ve never heard the expression “have the chops” repeated so many times.) And at least some booksellers in the audience at his BEA panel certainly seemed to be nodding along with his advice. Tailored as an independent wine dealer […]
ABA Annual Meeting
Outgoing ABA president Gayle Shanks of Changing Hands Bookstore convened this year’s annual meeting by saying “I probably don’t have to tell you that this has not been a easy year. It’s been a tough one for everyone in this association and we have done what we can to adjust.” And she underscored that both the organization and its members “have no intention of giving up the good fight, maintaining our market, and our place in the community’s heart.” In reviewing the year’s activity, Shanks discussed the search for a new ceo to replace Avin Domnitz and noted “we interiew […]
"Make Books" Makes Some Employees Vent
Just like the old adage about the production of sausages (and legislation), the making of Borders’ recent initiative to focus on a few selected “make books” has produced a venting of angry Internet posts from anonymous people who say they are employees (and former employees) of the chain. The intensity and number of the posts rose after the AP story on the program earlier this month, and a brief PW post summarizing the wire story. The posters allege intense pressure from Borders headquarters and store management to meet sales quotas on the make books. Many claim that early on executives […]
BN Finally Launches a Competitor to Audible
Barnes & Noble.com has launched an online mp3 audiobook, offering over 10,000 titles at an “average price” of $10 to $20 per download. A launch promotion offers nine free titles, including: The Babysitter’s Code by Laura Lippman, Great Day by Kurt Vonnegut, Super Goat Man by Jonathan Lethem, Best New Horror by Joe Hill, Fathers by Alice Munro, Truth or Dare by Elizabeth Berg, Ysrael by Junot Diaz, and Merrano of the Dry Country by Louis L’Amore. EVP of e-commerce Tom Burke calls it “a natural progression in our commitment to book lovers and audiobook fans.” Overdrive is maintaining and […]