Borders now sells toys

Latest news has it that Borders has added a selection of educational games and toys to the children’s sections in its superstores, with toys and games for children divided into three groups: three and under; three to seven; and seven to twelve. The space for the games and toys, apparently, used to sell music and movies. According to Borders, the toys and games have been chosen to help children learn to become readers by “promoting diversity, fostering creativity and helping build cognitive skills.” Borders will staff the children’s section with a specialist to help with recommendations.

Well, it does look like bookshops are finally getting sensible. I, for one, am all for it, but it is really not necessary to pretend that one is only going to stock educational toys. Bookshops need to diversify and redefine themselves to survive. If they have to sell toys, so be it. And there is nothing wrong with clothes and sports equipment either. And the jump from e-readers to mobile phones is not that big a leap. Everyone knows how low margins are in the book industry, not helped by the heavy discounting, and (now) serious remaindering. (The remainder trade is so serious that the entire book industry of many countries is in danger. Anyone with an internet connection and Google can import any quantity of books. Apparently, dealer's warehouses are so full they are begging 'remaindered' bookshops to take all they can, even offering some titles for free.)

Anyway, Amazon.com started life as a books only online store, now they are a virtual departmental store (although people still think of them as a bookshop).

Publisher's Weekly