The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Borders US partners with Alibris

27.05.08 Philip Jones

Borders US has unveiled its transactional website and has teamed up with second-hand bookseller Alibris for the launch of Borders Marketplace in direct competition with Amazon.com's Marketplace.

The relaunch of Borders.com follows its decision, made last year, to terminate its seven-year relationship with Amazon.com. The news will be a welcome fillip for the US bookshop chain, which was forced into a costly financing arrangement earlier this year after failing to sell off its remaining international divisions.

The Alibris deal appears to mimic the deal Alibris put in place with the UK's Blackwell's earlier this year, with the second-hand bookseller's search results integrated within the framework of the Borders site. Alibris has yet to comment on the arrangement.

"Today is another milestone for our company as we launch Borders.com, a site that is much more than just another place to shop on the web—it is a source of information and entertainment that brings a real bookstore experience to life online,” said Borders Group c.e.o. George Jones.

The new site offers 2 million new books, 400,000 new CDs and 100,000 new movies, as well as  the used, out-of-print and rare titles. It also features a "Magic Shelf" designed to mimic the feel of browsing in a bookshop. A "Book Club" section features streaming video of author interviews. Borders will offer free shipping on some orders over $25, as well as free shipping to its stores.

“When I arrived at the company in 2006, there was no doubt in my mind that Borders needed its own e-commerce site to be successful. We’ve invested significant capital and resources in the development of this new site and are delighted that with its launch, we can move it forward from pure investment to a sales and profit generator,” said Jones.

Borders UK, formerly owned by Borders US, is expected to release its transactional website imminently.

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