Post-Christmas survey shows an uncommonly good Christmas
The results of WBN's post-Christmas survey are in, with over 90% of Australia's booksellers reporting that the Christmas season of 2007-08 has been either 'excellent' (51%) or 'good' (41%). Only...
In brief
Woolies named world-class retailerWoolworths has made it into the top 25 of a list of 250 ‘world-class' retailers. The Deloitte 2008 Global Powers of Retailing report, which identifies the 250...
Positive outlook as the trade looks to a big Christmas
In the lead-up to Christmas 2007, the trade continues to be cautiously positive about the biggest sales period of the year.In the past week, WBN has spoken to representatives of over...
NZ court clears Warehouse takeover bid
By overturning an earlier ruling from the country's Competition Commission, New Zealand's High Court has opened the way for a takeover of discount retailer The Warehouse. The most likely bidder...
Borders opens new stores in Australia and NZ; sale not yet confirmed
Borders is continuing to open new stores in Australia and New Zealand, despite the ongoing sale process.Last week saw the opening of a store in Albany, north of Auckland, the...
In brief
Kiwi claims victory in Amazon patent fightNew Zealander Peter Calveley is claiming a one-man victory over Amazon.com, with the internet retail giant announcing changes to its '1-click' checkout system following an...
In brief
Rivers and Siems leave Phoenix to found Teaching SolutionsHaving sold their shares in Phoenix Education to their partner David Stewart, Barney Rivers and Ruth Siems have now founded a new...
PEP left as front-runner for Borders as Dymocks withdraws bid
According to a Reuters news story, Dymocks has withdrawn its bid for the 24 Borders stores in Australia and New Zealand, seemingly leaving a ‘final' bid by Angus & Robertson/Whitcoulls...
Leading Edge expands in NZ and UK
After announcing earlier this year that it would expand its successful buying group model to the UK, Leading Edge Books has now crossed the Tasman as well and has already...
Is Costco on its way to Australia?
US-based 'big-box' discount retailer Costco is reportedly set to open up to five stores in Australia next year.Costco operates enormous warehouse-style stores that sell an array of goods at highly...
New owner for Macleay Bookshop
The long-established Sydney independent Macleay Bookshop has a new owner.The store, in the inner-city suburb of Potts Point, is now owned by Richard Stern and his partner Adrienne McGhie.The store was...
Collins Booksellers acquires Book City
Collins Booksellers has acquired the 28 franchises of the Book City group, effectively doubling its size.The new combined group will have more than 60 shops operating across Australia, with plans...
Borders wins young retailer of the year award for second year
Lina Karpinsky, marketing coordinator for the Borders bookselling chain, was named the Australian Retailers Association's Young Retailer of the Year within the corporate category for 2007. Karpinsky, who manages local store marketing for...
A&R shows willingness to negotiate
Now that the 31 August ‘extended deadline’ for supplier negotiations with Angus & Robertson has passed, it appears that considerable progress has been made--if not yet a complete resolution for...
Booksellers lose sales during APEC
Sales at several bookstores in Sydney's CBD have been negatively affected by the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, held there from 2 to 9 September. ‘We had a pretty...
Berkelouw Books bidding for Borders?
The Berkelouw Books chain has ‘emerged as a strong contender' to buy the Australasian operations of the Borders bookselling chain, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Herald. The...
A&R: deadline extended, statements issued, but dispute not yet resolved
After a very damaging, week-long public controversy, the row between Angus & Robertson (A&R) and a number of its suppliers over terms of trade has not yet been resolved.During the...
A&R supplier moves prompt outrage
Angus & Robertson (A&R)--Australia's largest bookselling chain with over 170 stores--has created a furore among publishers and distributors in its latest round of negotiations with suppliers.In a letter sent last...
Will Dymocks bid for Borders?
Dymocks may be preparing a bid for the 24 Australian and New Zealand Borders stores, according to a report published in the Sydney Morning Herald. The newspaper story values Borders at...
In brief
Workplace watchdog warns small businessThe newly appointed Workplace Ombudsman, Nicholas Wilson, has issued a warning to small businesses to meet all their legal obligations regarding employee entitlements, pointing to a...