On one hand I remember when Waterstones was seemingly on the brink, the stores always seem busy and must be doing something right to be here today. And saving this company is a great step.
On the other, snapping up the biggest independent chain to become Waterstones MK2 seems sad.
Honestly I’m surprised that Waterstones is still going and hasn’t folded to Amazon yet. Yes it’s also a large chain, but look at what’s happened to the bookstore chains in the states.
Waterstones owned by US hedge fund Elliott Management Corporation.
I thought Blckwells went bust years ago. Used to be one opposite my uni and EVERYTHING was at least twice as expensive as anywhere else.
I spent many happy hours in Blackwells as a student, back in the 80s.
But the internet has taken over since then. I find books a bit of a pain these days, difficult to hold open, type too small, no search, hyperlinks, or copy and paste.
A real shame. Blackwells has a gorgeous bookshop vibe.
Which means there will be no competition on the high street.
That’s a real shame. I hope they manage to keep the staff there, they are truly fantastic.
I made a guys day a while back when I went in looking for a specific translation of a book and his eyes lit up as he had personally ordered in 5 copies and I was the first person to come in and ask for it. He then took me through a few other things he thought I might enjoy (he was right).
So waterstones now own…
– waterstones
– Foyles
– Hatchards
– Barns &Noble
– Blackwells
– dillons
– Books etc
– ottakars
– plus some pretend independant “local bookshops” that are just waterstones under a different name.
Not only is this worrying for local bookshops, but also the book industry as a whole. With waterstones largly deciding what books are sold and which are not. Authors shouod be worried.
Plus it surely cant be long before waterstones goes bust, putting a LOT of people out of work.
9 comments
On one hand I remember when Waterstones was seemingly on the brink, the stores always seem busy and must be doing something right to be here today. And saving this company is a great step.
On the other, snapping up the biggest independent chain to become Waterstones MK2 seems sad.
Honestly I’m surprised that Waterstones is still going and hasn’t folded to Amazon yet. Yes it’s also a large chain, but look at what’s happened to the bookstore chains in the states.
Waterstones owned by US hedge fund Elliott Management Corporation.
I thought Blckwells went bust years ago. Used to be one opposite my uni and EVERYTHING was at least twice as expensive as anywhere else.
I spent many happy hours in Blackwells as a student, back in the 80s.
But the internet has taken over since then. I find books a bit of a pain these days, difficult to hold open, type too small, no search, hyperlinks, or copy and paste.
A real shame. Blackwells has a gorgeous bookshop vibe.
Which means there will be no competition on the high street.
That’s a real shame. I hope they manage to keep the staff there, they are truly fantastic.
I made a guys day a while back when I went in looking for a specific translation of a book and his eyes lit up as he had personally ordered in 5 copies and I was the first person to come in and ask for it. He then took me through a few other things he thought I might enjoy (he was right).
So waterstones now own…
– waterstones
– Foyles
– Hatchards
– Barns &Noble
– Blackwells
– dillons
– Books etc
– ottakars
– plus some pretend independant “local bookshops” that are just waterstones under a different name.
Not only is this worrying for local bookshops, but also the book industry as a whole. With waterstones largly deciding what books are sold and which are not. Authors shouod be worried.
Plus it surely cant be long before waterstones goes bust, putting a LOT of people out of work.
This really is a very concerning