Book retailer Borders reported widening losses of $12.7m (£7.8m) for its second quarter, compared with a loss of $10.5m (£6.4m) for the same period last year.

Quarterly sales were $616.8m (£378.1m), down 17.7% from a year ago. Comparable store sales fell 17.9% and 10.8% at Borders superstores and Waldenbooks stores respectively.

Chief executive Ron Marshall said on the subject of the retailer’s category review: “While this transition impacted sales in the short run, our stores are now better positioned to drive improved sales in the back half of the year.”