In its latest set of financial results, Waterstones reported that in the year to 25th April 2009, both total and like-for-like sales fell by 3.8%, with full-year sales now likely to be about £543m, compared with £564.3m a year earlier.
In the 16 weeks to 25th April total sales at the book retailer fell by 3.4% and by 4.5% on a like-for-like basis. The trend therefore continues.
One customer reports today:
I have just been into my local branch of Waterstones in Colchester High Street. There was one member of staff serving on the two floors. The were 5 people waiting in a line with purchases. One gave up and put a book back on the shelf. There was no other member of staff anywhere to be seen. I was there to drop in a DVD sample we have made with a view to selling it in. I walked all round the store to see if other staff members were there. None to be found. After about 10 minutes another staff member came to the sales desk. If this is what Waterstone's have / are coming to then the company has a shortened shelf life.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Book Rabbit Closed: Same Day Books Closed: Methvens Closed
ArgentVive plc, formerly samedaybooks.co.uk, has entered into Administration. The Company appointed Paul Appleton and Henry Lan of chartered accountants and insolvency specialists David Rubin & Partners as Administrators on Monday 23rd March 2009.
ArgentVive has retail stores in Chertsey and Worthing. It also had an online portfolio including an e-tailer www.samedaybooks.com and www.bookrabbit.com, a hybrid social networking site which provided a platform for people who like the same books to meet, share opinions and make recommendations. The businesses currently employ approximately 30 staff. The Administrators are seeking a sale of the stores and websites as a whole entity, or individually.
ArgentVive initially comprised seven retail book stores and under new ownership acquired three internet businesses. It was unable to secure sufficient funding to invest in its various acquisitions and has been selling off these businesses since autumn 2008.
"The retail stores in Worthing and Chertsey have a loyal customer following, are based in prime locations and both websites are well-respected in the industry," commented Paul Appleton of David Rubin & Partners. "ArgentVive shifted its strategic focus from retail and, as such, a great deal of investment has been spent on the online offerings. With the rise in popularity of social networking sites, we are confident that the business has much to offer a potential purchaser."
www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/20370
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THIS COMPANY (ARGENTVIVE) NOR WITH THE WEBSITES MENTIONED. WE ARE ONLY FEATURING THIS NEWS AS IT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO OUR BOOK BUYERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. Roger Crossland: Firstbookshop.com
ArgentVive has retail stores in Chertsey and Worthing. It also had an online portfolio including an e-tailer www.samedaybooks.com and www.bookrabbit.com, a hybrid social networking site which provided a platform for people who like the same books to meet, share opinions and make recommendations. The businesses currently employ approximately 30 staff. The Administrators are seeking a sale of the stores and websites as a whole entity, or individually.
ArgentVive initially comprised seven retail book stores and under new ownership acquired three internet businesses. It was unable to secure sufficient funding to invest in its various acquisitions and has been selling off these businesses since autumn 2008.
"The retail stores in Worthing and Chertsey have a loyal customer following, are based in prime locations and both websites are well-respected in the industry," commented Paul Appleton of David Rubin & Partners. "ArgentVive shifted its strategic focus from retail and, as such, a great deal of investment has been spent on the online offerings. With the rise in popularity of social networking sites, we are confident that the business has much to offer a potential purchaser."
www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/20370
PLEASE NOTE THAT WE HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH THIS COMPANY (ARGENTVIVE) NOR WITH THE WEBSITES MENTIONED. WE ARE ONLY FEATURING THIS NEWS AS IT MAY BE OF INTEREST TO OUR BOOK BUYERS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. Roger Crossland: Firstbookshop.com
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Employers Agency - 1st office opens spring 09
New Employment Agency Bridlington
Let us do the hard work for you. Fast, friendly and reliable service that saves you money and time. Permanent, temporary and contract staff will be supplied.
By advertising, sifting, shortlisting, pre-interviewing, testing and referencing for you, Bridlington's new East Riding Recruitment Consultancy has the experience to handle the complete job right through to filling that job! In fact, we can provide any part of the recruitment process to meet your individual company needs - with our mix of 3 tiered exclusive packages: BRONZE / SILVER / GOLD.....just the job!
These services will soon be available online and from our new Bridlington Office at: 92, St. John Street, Bridlington Old Town. YO16 7JS (from Tuesday 5th May 2009)
In the meantime you can keep up to date with the ongoing development of this service at either EMPLOYERSAGENCY.COM or EMPLOYERSAGENCY.CO.UK
It's going to be good - well of course it will be because it's from those guys that brought you BRIDJOBS, EAST YORKSHIRE JOBS & EAST RIDING JOBS !
For jobs today in East Yorkshire vist the new Bridlington Employers Agency.
OPENING HOURS: 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday TELEPHONE NUMBER: 01262 675346
Let us do the hard work for you. Fast, friendly and reliable service that saves you money and time. Permanent, temporary and contract staff will be supplied.
By advertising, sifting, shortlisting, pre-interviewing, testing and referencing for you, Bridlington's new East Riding Recruitment Consultancy has the experience to handle the complete job right through to filling that job! In fact, we can provide any part of the recruitment process to meet your individual company needs - with our mix of 3 tiered exclusive packages: BRONZE / SILVER / GOLD.....just the job!
These services will soon be available online and from our new Bridlington Office at: 92, St. John Street, Bridlington Old Town. YO16 7JS (from Tuesday 5th May 2009)
In the meantime you can keep up to date with the ongoing development of this service at either EMPLOYERSAGENCY.COM or EMPLOYERSAGENCY.CO.UK
It's going to be good - well of course it will be because it's from those guys that brought you BRIDJOBS, EAST YORKSHIRE JOBS & EAST RIDING JOBS !
For jobs today in East Yorkshire vist the new Bridlington Employers Agency.
OPENING HOURS: 10am - 4pm Monday to Friday TELEPHONE NUMBER: 01262 675346
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
ROGUE TRADERS
Apparently many of you have fallen foul of rogue traders whilst buying your Book Tokens online and your Theatre Tokens online during November and December 2008.
It seems that the problems you have encountered ranged from internet sellers misleading consumers into believing they were buying genuine Official Theatre Tokens and then being sent an inferior theatre voucher, through to internet sellers with misleading adverts for National Book Tokens that claimed 'free next day delivery' but their service did not actually provide this and indeed many of you have reported to us that you did not receive your Book Tokens at all.
If you have been so unfortunate, after being tempted to buy your gift vouchers from any such rogue trader, then we may now be able to assist.
A helpline has been set up by us until March 1st 2009 and we invite you to call the following number: 07835 150 354.
The 'governing body' for both these nationwide voucher schemes are already aware of the issues outlined above (plus others) and it is our intention to help you to speak with the correct person relating to your particular issue, by publishing and making available this unique telephone helpline number until the end of next month.
It seems that the problems you have encountered ranged from internet sellers misleading consumers into believing they were buying genuine Official Theatre Tokens and then being sent an inferior theatre voucher, through to internet sellers with misleading adverts for National Book Tokens that claimed 'free next day delivery' but their service did not actually provide this and indeed many of you have reported to us that you did not receive your Book Tokens at all.
If you have been so unfortunate, after being tempted to buy your gift vouchers from any such rogue trader, then we may now be able to assist.
A helpline has been set up by us until March 1st 2009 and we invite you to call the following number: 07835 150 354.
The 'governing body' for both these nationwide voucher schemes are already aware of the issues outlined above (plus others) and it is our intention to help you to speak with the correct person relating to your particular issue, by publishing and making available this unique telephone helpline number until the end of next month.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Woolworths Today - Waterstones Tomorrow?
Waterstone's total sales fell to £235.1m over its half-year to 25th October from £244.5m a year earlier, representing a like-for-like sales decline of 3.1% (1.4% decline after adjusting for the prior year release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows). HMV said this reflected a very challenging book market, which contracted by over 5% in the period, impacted particularly by poor performance in the non-fiction category.
The book chain's operating loss rose to £9.3m, compared with £8.9m a year earlier, but this included a £1.5m year-on-year increase in costs from the 'BookHub' supply chain implementation. HMV said the the underlying improvement in the operating loss reflected a 60 basis point increase in gross margin (after adjusting for Harry Potter) and tight control of operating costs (which fell 1.2%), more than offsetting the sales decline.
The HMV Group, owners of Waterstones generated a seasonal operating loss of £22.8m in the period (2007 £21.5m).
THATS THE WONDER OF WATERSTONES!
update 12th January 2009 :
Some 200 jobs are to be axed at Waterstone's as a result of new measures to cut costs at the books chain. Staff at the 303-outlet books specialist will be told this morning about the redundancies, as a three-month consultation period gets under way.
source :
Guardian.co.uk/waterstones
The book chain's operating loss rose to £9.3m, compared with £8.9m a year earlier, but this included a £1.5m year-on-year increase in costs from the 'BookHub' supply chain implementation. HMV said the the underlying improvement in the operating loss reflected a 60 basis point increase in gross margin (after adjusting for Harry Potter) and tight control of operating costs (which fell 1.2%), more than offsetting the sales decline.
The HMV Group, owners of Waterstones generated a seasonal operating loss of £22.8m in the period (2007 £21.5m).
THATS THE WONDER OF WATERSTONES!
update 12th January 2009 :
Some 200 jobs are to be axed at Waterstone's as a result of new measures to cut costs at the books chain. Staff at the 303-outlet books specialist will be told this morning about the redundancies, as a three-month consultation period gets under way.
source :
Guardian.co.uk/waterstones
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Shop Online With Confidence
UK Consumers Out-Shop US Consumers Online
With Christmas shopping season approaching, new research shows that UK shoppers are likely to be less discouraged by the economic downturn than their counterparts in the US. The average UK consumer will spend 40 percent more online than the average US consumer and make 24 percent more of their purchases online, according to a new study from Jupiter Research.
More details about this recent research can be found at: theretailbulletin.com/research
Buy vouchers for Christmas today at:
sendtoday.co.uk
With Christmas shopping season approaching, new research shows that UK shoppers are likely to be less discouraged by the economic downturn than their counterparts in the US. The average UK consumer will spend 40 percent more online than the average US consumer and make 24 percent more of their purchases online, according to a new study from Jupiter Research.
More details about this recent research can be found at: theretailbulletin.com/research
Buy vouchers for Christmas today at:
sendtoday.co.uk
Friday, October 17, 2008
Theatre Tokens Christmas Gift Pack
NOW AVAILABLE!
Why not treat your friends or loved ones this year to one of our Theatre Tokens Christmas gift packs - whilst stocks last:
This year's pack contains £70 of Theatre Tokens plus a £10 Superbreak gift voucher. Also included is the Theatre Tokens 2009 slimline diary - all very attractively boxed. Buy for the remarkable price of £75 sent post free to UK addresses. You can also pay to include more Theatre Tokens in the presentation box if required, plus we can personalise the package for you and send it direct to someone as a gift!
More details, plus the ordering link can be found at: send2day.com/theatrical_pack.htm
Why not treat your friends or loved ones this year to one of our Theatre Tokens Christmas gift packs - whilst stocks last:
This year's pack contains £70 of Theatre Tokens plus a £10 Superbreak gift voucher. Also included is the Theatre Tokens 2009 slimline diary - all very attractively boxed. Buy for the remarkable price of £75 sent post free to UK addresses. You can also pay to include more Theatre Tokens in the presentation box if required, plus we can personalise the package for you and send it direct to someone as a gift!
More details, plus the ordering link can be found at: send2day.com/theatrical_pack.htm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)