The news that giant book store Angus and Robertson has called in administrators will sent a shock wave through the book market. Angus and Robertson started in 1886 and is an Australia wide chain employing 2500 people. It has six stores between Wollongong and Nowra.
Once again strong competition is the reason for this failure. It is possible to buy on the internet for less money than retail stores can provide - and in this day and age that results in fewer sales - and diminishing profit.
An ominous side effect concerns book vouchers issued prior to the Christmas season - which may or not be honoured. Observers say that this will be at the discretion of the administration.
In effect, voucher holders have a promissory note to deliver a book because the money has already been paid by the person giving the voucher. If the administrator reneges this will do incredible damage to the voucher system - and may see it disappear from the retail scene.
Vouchers are already under a cloud. Retailers have recently imposed a time limit - usually one year - on honouring their presentation. There is absolutely no reason for this imposition as they have already been paid for their goods - but it seems to be just one more way of disadvantaging shoppers and those who tend to be forgetfull.
If Angus and Robertson close their doors it will certainly put another nail in the coffin of print books - and advance the seemingly unstoppable progress of the E book revolution !
No comments:
Post a Comment