Ah yes, there’s more news from the booksellers who collectively drive the UK industry crazy. First up, booktrade.info reports that Waterstone’s have completed the destruction of the Ottakar’s stock which falls outside their normal returns parameters, and as Ottakar’s shops rebrand they will begin to remove non-selling range and gross overstocks for central return. The idea is that range across Ottakar’s branches could increase by up to 20%, so rapid authorization of returns could lead to more rapid delivery of additional sales – but what will this mean for smaller publishers and distributors who couldn’t supply Ottakar’s directly? Good questions…
As for restructuring, Publishing News reports that by and large, the industry has welcomed the recent Waterstone’s restructuring, which will see at least 12 Ottakar’s head office staff taking on new roles in the chain’s commercial team, plus a further strengthening of the Scottish operation. Concluded David Swarbrick, Group Sales and Marketing Director at HarperCollins UK: “Waterstone’s has been clear, systematic and focused on promising what they can deliver. The new organisational structure is geared to helping publishers deliver growth through a more holistic approach to categories. Also, their size now means that they will be able to deliver a more meaningful differentiation of product offer to their customers – another plus for publishers.”
And what of the third part of the title? That honor goes to children’s bookselling, which newly appointed children’s category manager Wayne Winstone claims will be revived by Waterstone’s takeover of Ottakar’s. The Bookseller has more on his appointment and his duties.