Borders UK bankrupt

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

In a move very apropos to some discussions aired here, the chain bookstore Borders filed for bankruptcy in the UK on Friday, blaming supermarket discounting and online shopping and the receiver is selling off their 46 UK stores.

Borders Glasgow is probably the best stocked bookstore in the city, and although not my personal favourite, will be sadly missed.

This may be kaincidence, but -

Since Walmart bought ASDA in the UK they have been consistently the cheapest supermarket in Britain in the independent weekly shopping survey based on an average shopping basket, but on Friday for the first time they were beaten in to second place.

Is ASDA upping its grocery prices in order to kill the bookshops?

Long days and pleasant nights

[Baz]

This seems like sad news to me. I went into Borders for the first time a while back, picked up the last 3 Dark Tower books which were in stock. Asda only stocks books that are out that week or there abouts. Not good if you wanna find some good classics.

[Haunted]

So sorry to hear about the book store bankruptcy. Sure, maybe you can get a book cheaper at the supermarket but you miss out on the atmosphere of being in rooms with all those wonderful stories that you get when you buy from a bookstore.

Borders, here in the states, is my first choice as I live in the boonies and its the only store available. I am so glad that it is here but I sense a desperation rumbling through the peaceful atmosphere and I am hoping they are not going to be closing in the near future.

There is no sadder tale than the closing of a place with all those wonderful stories.

[Sugar Marie]

Yet another ominous piece of information in the world of the written word.
sigh

[Becks19]

John, That is indeed sad. Just reminds me why I dislike those monster corporations so much! Haunted, I agree with you no cheap price can beat those Mom and Pop shops for atmosphere. Sad!

[Srbo]

This is indeed sad news.

So, the doors of a magical kingdom with all it`s beautiful tales have closed...

It`s sad sometimes that the World has to move on, and so many times I think it`s moving in the wrong direction...

[PatInTheHat]

I had to make a trip to the BIG city today (Oh my lawdy lawdy gouge my eyes out and kneecap me if I ever do it again!!!...though to be honest, I did get to grab some fantastic Izzy's Famous Corned Beef & their to kill for potato pancakes), and passed a Borders near my old neighborhood...I don't think it was there the last time I was maybe four years or so ago.
When we passed it, I told Mama about a thread on this board about books sold at deep discount at mega stores, and wondered how long it would be before that building had a "for lease" sign on it.
I also noticed a music/media/bookstore called Media Play in the same area, was now a carpet outlet store...Dalton Georgia, I'm afraid your number may be next.

[Haunted]

I had to make a trip to the BIG city today (Oh my lawdy lawdy gouge my eyes out and kneecap me if I ever do it again!!!...though to be honest, I did get to grab some fantastic Izzy's Famous Corned Beef & their to kill for potato pancakes), and passed a Borders near my old neighborhood...I don't think it was there the last time I was maybe four years or so ago.
When we passed it, I told Mama about a thread on this board about books sold at deep discount at mega stores, and wondered how long it would be before that building had a "for lease" sign on it.
I also noticed a music/media/bookstore called Media Play in the same area, was now a carpet outlet store...Dalton Georgia, I'm afraid your number may be next.

Media Play was the very best place to find anything media. I hated to see it go.

[PatInTheHat]

Media Play was the very best place to find anything media. I hated to see it go.

I'd only been in it a few times, but gee whiz your absolutely right, they had practically everything you could want, and I didn't think the pricing was all that bad.
They were always packed, and nice & clean too, so maybe it was bad mangement, lack of consistant suppliers, or maybe they were simply absorbed somewhere in the corporate meat grinder.
(hey, maybe they thought Beta was going to make a huge comeback and sunk all the family jewels into it)
I don't have a clue as to how many locations or how big they were..not too evidently.
I kinda thought they were a local or maybe regional deal...guess not (well unless maybe you live in the Cincinnnat area).
I went there because I liked their old vinyl record clearance type sales (and this was maybe just a little over ten years ago...okay, so I don't go a shoppin' much) & book stacks of stuff you couldn't find anymore..at least not in the usual places.

[Mr Nobody]

Borders UK gone, last I heard Waterstones were having a few issues... It's not good. ASDA et al will keep prices low on books until there's no competition, then watch the prices rise...and without any of the benefits of a larger bookstore. Oh, and don't forget the very limited choice. If 'celebrity' pap or Dan Brown isn't your cup of tea, forget it.