Waterstones is the UK’s last remaining national high street bookseller, with more than 270 stores throughout the country and three in Ireland. The rollout of its own-brand Café W coffeeshop concessions has resulted in increased dwell time and book sales. The bookstore chain also acquired Foyles from its founding family in September 2018, but continues to operate its seven stores under the same name. Two English-language bookstores, the biggest in their respective countries, can also be found in Brussels and Amsterdam. Following its parent company’s acquisition of US bookstore chain Barnes & Noble, managing director James Daunt has been devoting his efforts Stateside, leaving chief operating officer Kate Skipper to pick up the slack on this side of the pond.
Waterstones recorded an increase in full-year profits as sales soared post-pandemic.
Waterstones is grappling to stock its shops and fulfil a backlog of online orders after problems with its new warehouse tech systems sparked product shortages.
A number of retail leaders have been recognised in the Queen’s birthday honours list this year.
A coalition of leading retailers and trade bodies has launched a ‘Cut the Shops Tax’ campaign, arguing for a business rates reduction to combat inflationary pressures and protect industry jobs.
Waterstones has snapped up Blackwell’s, the UK’s largest independent bookseller, for an undisclosed sum.
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