BOOKS FOR A NATIONThe Whitcoulls Story
Whitcoulls - $29.99
This book has been published to commemorate the 125 year Whitcoulls story. Written by Noel Waite of Dunedin, it gives an account of the company’s beginnings as Whitcombe & Tombs through various recent changes of ownership to the Whitcoulls we know today.
While I found the story most interesting it must be said that the book is only 128 pages long with about half the space taken up with illustrations so those seeking a detailed history of the company will not find it here. Nevertheless it is a volume that many who have worked in the book trade, in both bookselling and publishing, will want to read and have on their shelves as the text is informative and the illustrations superb.
However if you compare it to the excellent history of Reed Publishing, Whare Raupo – The Reed Books Story, by Gavin McLean published last year then you realize how slightly the history of Whitcoulls has been dealt with.
Perhaps the history of Whitcoulls would make a good PhD subject? Certainly Books for a Nation would be a great starting point for any such student.
It is interesting to note that Whitcombe & Tombs prospered over two generations, surviving two World Wars and the Great Depression before merging with Coulls Somerville Wilkie in 1973 to become the brand we know today.
In recent years the company has had several owners including Graeme Hart, Eric Watson and W.H.Smith & Co.
In 2004 Pacific Equity Partners became the 6th owners in 20 years. That purchase combined the two largest book retailers on each side of the Tasman to become the A&R Whitcoulls Group.
Earlier this year the Australasian chain of Borders was acquired and sadly, with recent New Zealand-based senior staff “losses” the senior management of the company is now totally concentrated in Australia.
Ownership and management of yet another famous New Zealand brand crosses the Tasman.
Sale at Dunedin store, 1935
The original Cashel Street store
1 comment:
It should come as no surprise that a book about Whitcoulls would take a ‘once over lightly’ approach to its subject as this is the very approach the Whitcoulls of today takes to bookselling.
In fact it is laughable to describe them as booksellers. My local branch has toys at the entrance, more stationery than books and seems to care more about selling DVDs than books.
They have no staff with any book knowledge – I venture to suggest that this is actively discouraged and they have a supermarket mentality about service - it only exists at the checkout.
I see that this ‘history’ was published by Whitcoulls themselves. Hagiography anyone?
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