2015
Book Retailer of the Year SPONSORED BY: BERTRAM BOOKS
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[ TH E
S HORTLI ST ]
Blackwell’s, last year’s winner, continued to refocus its strategies and returned to profitability for the first time in nearly a decade
Booka Bookshop has proved to be an inventive community hub in Oswestry, and won this year’s Independent Bookshop of the Year Award (see p31)
Foyles turned its Charing Cross Road opening into a major industry event while sustaining sales across its other shops
WINNER: WATERSTONES
WATERSTONES HAS NOT won in any of the main retailer categories at The Bookseller Industry Awards since 2009, and it has sailed through some choppy waters in the meantime. But 2014 was a watershed year in which it recovered its verve and reputation—and publishers will be thankful that it did. Under the astute leadership of James Daunt and the liberal ownership of Alexander Mamut, Waterstones has undergone massive structural and cultural change. More remains to be done, but the fruits of its labours—on better shop environments, a more refined range, a leaner infrastructure and a return to traditional values of bookselling—are now apparent. Judges particularly liked its decision to devolve more buying autonomy to stores, which in turn is making them much more relevant to
KEY STRENGTHS
their local communities. It retains the power to create bestsellers on a chain-wide basis, however, and it was the driving force behind many of last year’s biggest books. The judges admired its honest relationships
with publishers, notably small independents. “This was Waterstones’ year,” the judges said. “It is giving people new reasons to visit, and it is wonderful to see a lot of hard work paying off.” Their recognition is about much more than emotional attachment—Waterstones is now a far sharper business, poised to return to profitability with store openings in 2014 underscoring its new-found confidence. But there is no doubt that the wider book business is cheering it on. “Everyone in the trade needs it to succeed. It is not just reviving its own business but delivering for the whole industry.”
A revitalised force in UK high street bookselling in 2014 Sales driven by brighter stores, better stock and local expertise Seven successful store openings—and more lined up for 2015 The subject of much acclaim from publishers for its turnaround
Kennys.ie, Ireland’s David to Amazon’s Goliath, has added impressive online operations to its 75-year-old bookshop business
The Bertram Group is a market leader in international trade, academic and library supply businesses, comprising Bertram Books, Bertram Library Services, Dawson Books, Houtschild and Erasmus, under the ownership of Smiths News PLC. The Group’s growth and success has been built on a platform of excellent customer service, expert market knowledge, technological and supply chain innovation and a fast and reliable service tailored to the individual needs of customers.
www.bertrams.com
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