The new Amazon Store space at 72 Spring Street in NYC’s Soho — once thought to be a bookstore — introduces a new concept in the company’s physical store portfolio. Opening Thursday, the awkwardly named “Amazon 4-star” is a general merchandise store that sells a bunch of stuff with high Amazon customer reviews, along with the usual selection of Amazon devices. Like their Books stores, Prime members get better prices in store — though now, “digital price tags alongside every product show the Prime price and list price.” Also like the Books stores, this is part of the broader retail […]
Bookstores
Briefs: An Eric Carle Imprint, NYRB’s Statement, and More
Imprints Penguin Children’s is launching a World of Eric Carle imprint in winter 2019, “dedicated to the works of the acclaimed and beloved author and illustrator.” Francesco Sedita leads the line, which “will focus on publishing books that are based in the core values of discovery, creativity, learning and growing.” Initiatives Penguin Random House resumes its annual “2-Day transit program” for independent booksellers for the seventh year, starting October 1 and running through March 1, 2019. Bookselling Shaw’s Book Shop in Westwood, NJ is closing at the end of September after 40 years of operation. Owner Tom Downs said Amazon […]
People, Etc.
Kim Anderson will re-join Chronicle Books as vice president of sales & marketing, overseeing the marketing, domestic sales, international sales, and subsidiary rights teams. Previously, she worked in the Chronicle Books sales department from 2003 to 2013, and has spent the past five years as a sales and marketing consultant for such companies as Insight Editions, Mrs. Grossman’s, becker&mayer, and Galison. Steve Marshall joined Ingram Content Group as vp, IT services. Prior to Ingram, Steve was the vice president of infrastructure at C&S Wholesale Grocers in Keene, NH. Claire McGinnis has been promoted to associate director of publicity at Riverhead. At Thames & […]
Barnes & Noble Opens New Store In Maryland
After a long gap, Barnes & Noble opens another concept store — their sixth — in the mall in Columbia, MD today. The 17,000-square-foot store features a new design for their cafe, now at the front of the store without any walls or barriers, and the cookbook section is right next to it. As the local Patch report notes, “There are three community tables throughout the bookstore, a concept which is part of the new prototype.” (From the pictures, two of those are in that large open cafe.) Sales staff will have tablets to help customers find merchandise, and there are […]
People, Etc.
At Penguin Random House, deputy chief financial officer James Johnston has been promoted to global chief financial officer, reporting to ceo Markus Dohle. He fills officially the position vacated when Milena Alberti left the company at the end of 2017, after leading the finance group on an interim basis. Dohle writes, “With 28 years of experience at our company, Jim has been a significant and valued contributor to the development and success of Random House and Penguin Random House…. Simply stated, Jim understands inside and out how our company ticks and works, and he consistently demonstrates a considered pragmatism, natural […]
Waterstones Buys Foyles
Waterstones has agreed to acquire Foyles, the 115 year old family-owned chain of seven bookstores. The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed, but it is expected to close by the end of the year. Waterstones chief executive James Daunt, said in the release, “Together, we will be stronger and better positioned to protect and champion the pleasures of real bookshops in the face of Amazon’s siren call.” He noted, “We are honoured to be entrusted with the Foyles business, and greatly look forward to joining forces with the Foyles bookselling team.” Foyles has three locations in London, including its flagship […]