Anyone work for borders?

[NZ]Rubberducky · 24-Nov-2009, 16:20

HotSoup?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8376394.stm

Quote:

Reports have suggested that Borders, which has 45 stores in the UK, does not have enough cash to last until Christmas. It is thought it could go into administration if no buyer is found.

:o

*XeR0x* · 24-Nov-2009, 16:28

Think Heartwork did or does work there.

Bilb · 24-Nov-2009, 16:34

Doctors without Borders?!

GroovYF · 24-Nov-2009, 16:48

Jeux Sans Frontières

Bilb · 24-Nov-2009, 16:56

Very good Groovy!

Brocken · 24-Nov-2009, 17:00

I can't see anyone buying Borders unless it's simply to strip it and sell the pieces off.

Inertiaman · 24-Nov-2009, 17:47

Don't underestimate the value of any real estate. Not sure if they own or have long term leases etc.

Heartwork · 24-Nov-2009, 17:48

I worked for borders and now work for waterstones, and I know that a lot of the members of staff in the borders I used to work in (biggest one in scotland) have been told there's a real risk they're gonna lose their jobs very soon.

edit: hotsoup works for waterstones too

Brocken · 24-Nov-2009, 17:49

Hence the stripping it and selling pieces off :p

I think brick and mortar bookstores have been on the way out for a while, especially ones the size of Borders.

[NZ]Rubberducky · 24-Nov-2009, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heartwork

edit: hotsoup works for waterstones too

ahh nice one

_ · 24-Nov-2009, 18:46

We've not heard about that over at smiths - when woolies were about to go under we were being kept well advised. But then EUK supplied our entertainment stuff and they were woolies retail arm, so it was more about making sure we didn't send them back stock they couldn't afford to buy off us :-)

Hot Soup · 24-Nov-2009, 18:51

Yah I'm with Waterstones. Was watching some of this story pop up over the web today, thought it was coming tbh. They've had credit / insurance issues since the economy fubar last year. Throw in the distribution , they got rid of their web team last week, and there is a story on the Bookseller saying that one of the major suppliers has stopped dealing with them.

If you actually look at some of the stuff they are trying to punt on their ground floor you'd raise an eyebrow.

It'd be a shame for those affected if they do go , and I think they will tbh.

Jim · 24-Nov-2009, 18:52

I really hope they announce this on the Today show when James Maughtie is on. Borrrrrrrrrrderrrrrrrssssss

Hot Soup · 24-Nov-2009, 18:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brocken

Hence the stripping it and selling pieces off :p

I think brick and mortar bookstores have been on the way out for a while, especially ones the size of Borders.

Yes and no. Its about finding the balance between keeping a competative internet prescence - as best you can against Amazon - and keeping the brand on the high street. For every customer who would rather just click via their one pay and have the book through their door in a few days time there is an equal amount who like to see the books, find the odd thigns you wouldnt spot on the web etc

Heartwork · 24-Nov-2009, 18:57

borders have also stopped taking customer orders now, seems a bit dire.

Heartwork · 24-Nov-2009, 18:58

from one of my friends on facebook yesterday:

Quote:

There should be an announcement tomorrow, but by the looks of it, we're closing.

Yesterday at 7:26pm

i'm guessing there was no announcement today, but it doesn't sound like there's much hope at all.

Heartwork · 24-Nov-2009, 19:00

also, if anyone fancies buying them:

http://www.businessesforsale.com/ft/a915639.aspx

Orange · 24-Nov-2009, 19:06

High street real estate is close to worthless right now.

_ · 24-Nov-2009, 19:08

If they go into adminstration and start selling off their stuff cheap like woolies then it's gonna hit other high street retailers book sales pretty hard

Heartwork · 24-Nov-2009, 19:11

they've got fuck all stock anyway just now. i was in my old shop just last week, and the shelves are so condensed it's laughable.

edit: not to mention that i'd imagine that the majority of their stock they won't reduce much anyway, only the stuff that they can't send back to the suppliers for a refund. they'll get more that way than flogging the books for 99p.

_ · 24-Nov-2009, 19:16

Dunno how it works with the books - I handle stationary and entertainment stock :-)

blurr · 24-Nov-2009, 20:20

They already had a crazy 75% sale on everything at the Oxford street one before that closed? back in July I seem to remember. A friend of mine picked up some "crazy" bargains there... and said that the the whole place was pretty much turned over within a few hours, particular the foreign language section ! Also I believe these "sales" are slowly filtering through other Border stores nationwide.

Hot Soup · 24-Nov-2009, 20:34

Aye as Heartwork said , their current stock situation is somewhat grim. They will contractually only be allowed to reduce the older stuff which is unreturnable to publishers.

_ · 24-Nov-2009, 20:41

Harry Potter paperbacks, in other words :-)

Hot Soup · 24-Nov-2009, 20:42

heh theres a fair chance

Beef~ · 24-Nov-2009, 22:32

Difficult to compete with the juggernaut that is Amazon. They're cheaper, have a broader range of stock, and don't count on just selling new books as their sole business. There's still a need for retail bookshops but the profile has gone niche. Better off selling coffee with books on the side.

Hot Soup · 24-Nov-2009, 22:47

It's far from niche yet, it could go that way in the next few years , but business is probably equal parts mainstream and equal parts range and niche for the high street atm.

Amazon does have the benfit of range , between the multiple warehouses and loss leading pricing they often adopt, they have that advantage. But a vast number of customers still like being bale to see whatever beardy weirdy eastern european translated fiction book in their hand rather than chance it on the net.

From experience , thats the same for people who are going to buy a book on dogs or graphic novels or what have you.

Fulmineus · 24-Nov-2009, 22:57

I prefer to use the bookshop to see what I want, and then go home and order it from amazon

Hot Soup · 24-Nov-2009, 23:02

even I do that sometimes :p

BBW · 24-Nov-2009, 23:05

Doesn't help that Borders sells chart DVD's for £22 tbh.

24-Nov-2009, 16:28	#2
XeR0x Eyebrows Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Leeds Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: 7,479	Think Heartwork did or does work there. __________________ Photoblog

24-Nov-2009, 16:48	#4
GroovYF Octave Doctor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Halifax Posts: 20,187	Jeux Sans Frontières __________________ "Keep smiling, life is so short and tears are valuable water resources which we need to hang on to" - S I swear, I died inside that night... I contemplated an awful thing, I hate to admit the muse - blog ::: photoblog

24-Nov-2009, 17:48	#8
Heartwork Hamish McJewstein Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: guadalajara Posts: 26,744	I worked for borders and now work for waterstones, and I know that a lot of the members of staff in the borders I used to work in (biggest one in scotland) have been told there's a real risk they're gonna lose their jobs very soon. edit: hotsoup works for waterstones too __________________ Current Song of Win: Rammstein - Roter Sand

24-Nov-2009, 18:46	#11
_ poster of the month Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,516	We've not heard about that over at smiths - when woolies were about to go under we were being kept well advised. But then EUK supplied our entertainment stuff and they were woolies retail arm, so it was more about making sure we didn't send them back stock they couldn't afford to buy off us :-) __________________ Killer: 73% Explorer: 66% Achiever: 40% Socializer: 20% - Let's roleplay Keirsey: infp All children are gifted, some just open their packages earlier than others i souport publik edekasion Xbox-Live: dozmon

24-Nov-2009, 18:51	#12
Hot Soup topic of the pops Join Date: Oct 2003 Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: 2,307	Yah I'm with Waterstones. Was watching some of this story pop up over the web today, thought it was coming tbh. They've had credit / insurance issues since the economy fubar last year. Throw in the distribution , they got rid of their web team last week, and there is a story on the Bookseller saying that one of the major suppliers has stopped dealing with them. If you actually look at some of the stuff they are trying to punt on their ground floor you'd raise an eyebrow. It'd be a shame for those affected if they do go , and I think they will tbh. __________________ "Thats a lie." "Yes it is. What's your point." Why'd you open your bong hole you smelly hippy? You'd sacrifice a beautiful woman to save a moderately attractive monkey? Hawks of the Luftwaffe!

24-Nov-2009, 16:34	#3
Bilb Mad Skillz Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Scrobbesbyrig Posts: 8,455	Doctors without Borders?!

24-Nov-2009, 16:56	#5
Bilb Mad Skillz Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Scrobbesbyrig Posts: 8,455	Very good Groovy!

24-Nov-2009, 17:00	#6
Brocken Bit lost Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,194	I can't see anyone buying Borders unless it's simply to strip it and sell the pieces off.

24-Nov-2009, 17:47	#7
Inertiaman Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 26,284	Don't underestimate the value of any real estate. Not sure if they own or have long term leases etc.

24-Nov-2009, 17:49	#9
Brocken Bit lost Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 3,194	Hence the stripping it and selling pieces off :p I think brick and mortar bookstores have been on the way out for a while, especially ones the size of Borders.

24-Nov-2009, 18:52	#13
Jim runs the company firewall Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 11,337	I really hope they announce this on the Today show when James Maughtie is on. Borrrrrrrrrrderrrrrrrssssss __________________ I voted "Permanent ban - 2008"

24-Nov-2009, 18:57	#15
Heartwork Hamish McJewstein Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: guadalajara Posts: 26,744	borders have also stopped taking customer orders now, seems a bit dire. __________________ Current Song of Win: Rammstein - Roter Sand

24-Nov-2009, 19:00	#17
Heartwork Hamish McJewstein Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: guadalajara Posts: 26,744	also, if anyone fancies buying them: http://www.businessesforsale.com/ft/a915639.aspx __________________ Current Song of Win: Rammstein - Roter Sand

24-Nov-2009, 19:06	#18
Orange if thread.newpost then postreply(); Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 4,939	High street real estate is close to worthless right now.

24-Nov-2009, 19:08	#19
_ poster of the month Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,516	If they go into adminstration and start selling off their stuff cheap like woolies then it's gonna hit other high street retailers book sales pretty hard __________________ Killer: 73% Explorer: 66% Achiever: 40% Socializer: 20% - Let's roleplay Keirsey: infp All children are gifted, some just open their packages earlier than others i souport publik edekasion Xbox-Live: dozmon

24-Nov-2009, 19:11	#20
Heartwork Hamish McJewstein Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: guadalajara Posts: 26,744	they've got fuck all stock anyway just now. i was in my old shop just last week, and the shelves are so condensed it's laughable. edit: not to mention that i'd imagine that the majority of their stock they won't reduce much anyway, only the stuff that they can't send back to the suppliers for a refund. they'll get more that way than flogging the books for 99p. __________________ Current Song of Win: Rammstein - Roter Sand

24-Nov-2009, 19:16	#21
_ poster of the month Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,516	Dunno how it works with the books - I handle stationary and entertainment stock :-) __________________ Killer: 73% Explorer: 66% Achiever: 40% Socializer: 20% - Let's roleplay Keirsey: infp All children are gifted, some just open their packages earlier than others i souport publik edekasion Xbox-Live: dozmon

24-Nov-2009, 20:20	#22
blurr fashion victim Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 17,704	They already had a crazy 75% sale on everything at the Oxford street one before that closed? back in July I seem to remember. A friend of mine picked up some "crazy" bargains there... and said that the the whole place was pretty much turned over within a few hours, particular the foreign language section ! Also I believe these "sales" are slowly filtering through other Border stores nationwide. __________________ + myembers \| + scoute.org

24-Nov-2009, 20:34	#23
Hot Soup topic of the pops Join Date: Oct 2003 Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: 2,307	Aye as Heartwork said , their current stock situation is somewhat grim. They will contractually only be allowed to reduce the older stuff which is unreturnable to publishers. __________________ "Thats a lie." "Yes it is. What's your point." Why'd you open your bong hole you smelly hippy? You'd sacrifice a beautiful woman to save a moderately attractive monkey? Hawks of the Luftwaffe!

24-Nov-2009, 20:41	#24
_ poster of the month Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,516	Harry Potter paperbacks, in other words :-) __________________ Killer: 73% Explorer: 66% Achiever: 40% Socializer: 20% - Let's roleplay Keirsey: infp All children are gifted, some just open their packages earlier than others i souport publik edekasion Xbox-Live: dozmon

24-Nov-2009, 20:42	#25
Hot Soup topic of the pops Join Date: Oct 2003 Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: 2,307	heh theres a fair chance __________________ "Thats a lie." "Yes it is. What's your point." Why'd you open your bong hole you smelly hippy? You'd sacrifice a beautiful woman to save a moderately attractive monkey? Hawks of the Luftwaffe!

24-Nov-2009, 22:32	#26
Beef~ crypto-pinko-fascist type Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: on the left Posts: 3,644	Difficult to compete with the juggernaut that is Amazon. They're cheaper, have a broader range of stock, and don't count on just selling new books as their sole business. There's still a need for retail bookshops but the profile has gone niche. Better off selling coffee with books on the side. __________________ res ipsa loquitur

24-Nov-2009, 22:47	#27
Hot Soup topic of the pops Join Date: Oct 2003 Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: 2,307	It's far from niche yet, it could go that way in the next few years , but business is probably equal parts mainstream and equal parts range and niche for the high street atm. Amazon does have the benfit of range , between the multiple warehouses and loss leading pricing they often adopt, they have that advantage. But a vast number of customers still like being bale to see whatever beardy weirdy eastern european translated fiction book in their hand rather than chance it on the net. From experience , thats the same for people who are going to buy a book on dogs or graphic novels or what have you. __________________ "Thats a lie." "Yes it is. What's your point." Why'd you open your bong hole you smelly hippy? You'd sacrifice a beautiful woman to save a moderately attractive monkey? Hawks of the Luftwaffe!

24-Nov-2009, 22:57	#28
Fulmineus karma killer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Colchester Posts: 13,978	I prefer to use the bookshop to see what I want, and then go home and order it from amazon __________________ belua vasta, lupus! udisque paludibus exit, oblitus et spumis et sparsus sanguine rictus, fulmineus, rubra suffusus lumina flamma. Say NO! to capital t Sponsored by AQA

24-Nov-2009, 23:02	#29
Hot Soup topic of the pops Join Date: Oct 2003 Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: 2,307	even I do that sometimes :p __________________ "Thats a lie." "Yes it is. What's your point." Why'd you open your bong hole you smelly hippy? You'd sacrifice a beautiful woman to save a moderately attractive monkey? Hawks of the Luftwaffe!

24-Nov-2009, 23:05	#30
BBW I live in a caravan! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In the woods... Tournaments Won: 1 Posts: 10,958	Doesn't help that Borders sells chart DVD's for £22 tbh. __________________ "I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It's all in the game, though, right?" Xbox Live Profile :: Photoblog :: Flickr ::