Borders UK launches used-book section online
01.09.09 Victoria Gallagher reporting in The Bookseller

Borders UK has launched a used, rare and out of print books section on its website to help offer the "greatest range of books possible" to people who may be "cash-strapped". Borders is working in partnership with second-hand bookseller Alibris to offer 9 million books that may be out of print, out of stock, or hard to find in bookshops.

Academic bookseller Blackwell signed a similar deal with Alibris in February last year. Borders will also be competing with Amazon and Play.com, which both offer secondhand books.
Borders UK head of e-commerce Julie Howkins said that the retailer had decided to set up the new offer on its website to "make sure we're offering our customers the greatest range of books possible". Howkins added that "cash-strapped parents and students have now got another alternative" for back to school titles.

Individual product pages now offer second hand books where available along side other variations, such as hardback or e-book. Howkins said that this would insure that customers had the "widest selection possible".The section launched at the beginning of August, however Howkins said she expects sales to increase with the back to school season.