Lonely Planet launches site for booksellers

19.05.10 | Victoria Gallagher in The Bookseller

Lonely Planet is launching a new website for booksellers which will act as a "virtual sales rep" and is aimed particularly at helping independents.

Platinum Planet is currently in beta phase and will launch on 21st May. The website will provide information and material on trade promotions and the travel publisher is particularly targeting the site at indies, acting instead of face-to-face meetings.

Shona Gold, Lonely Planet’s marketing and sales director, EMEA said: "We created Platinum Planet to help support booksellers, particularly independent booksellers, who we don’t get to see all the time.

"The website acts as a ‘virtual sales rep’ providing up-to-date information on trade promotions, and making it easier for independents to access information and communicate with Lonely Planet’s sales and marketing teams. Features such as the gallery enable booksellers to see what other retailers have been doing and we hope that in time it will become a space to share best practise and
look for inspiration."

Platinum Planet will offer exclusive promotional opportunities, a full range of point of sale material, promotional terms on stock orders and new title launches, Lonely Planet and travel updates and inspiration, exclusive competitions and news.