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German independent bookshops to launch online store

An alliance of 600 German independent bookstores will launch online store Genialokal.de on 12 March, the first day of the Leipzig Book Fair, reports The Bookseller. Positioned as a possible competitor to Amazon, Genialokal.de is an initiative of eBuch. About 480 member stores have signed up for the new ecommerce platform, with others planning to replace their current online webstore with Genialokal.de. The new platform allows customers to either place an order with the participating bookshop of their choice or be directed to the nearest available store. It will be run by the eBuch cooperative, its subsidiary eBuch GmbH, and wholesaler Libri. eBuch GmbH will operate the central warehouse, and Libri will serve as technical and logistics partner. Participating booksellers will receive a bonus for each transaction although further financial details have not be divulged. The platform will open to booksellers who are not members of eBuch at a later date. Marketing for the initiative will include an ‘unusual advertising campaign’, and a 16-page flyer of spring titles in German lifestyle magazine Landlust, which will be jointly funded by Genialokal.de and eight special interest publishers.

 

Category: International news