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 has recorded a rise in its full-year profits as sales rose, but the retailer said the lack of a ‘significant’ bestseller hampered potentially higher growth.
Waterstones registered flat – although better than expected – Christmas sales, chief executive James Daunt has told Retail Week.
It seems a long time ago – some people won’t even remember it – that Amazon was simply an online bookseller.
Waterstones’ owner Elliott Advisors has acquired America’s biggest bookstore Barnes & Noble and made James Daunt boss of both. Retail Week looks at how he plans to make a success of the US institution.
Elliott Advisors – the investment company that owns Waterstones and most recently acquired Barnes & Noble – has made a bid for Majestic Wine.
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