Waterstone’s turns over new leaf with stores refit

July 2, 2010 - Retail Week

Bookseller Waterstone’s is remodelling 20 of its regional flagships as part of its renewal programme to turn around the business, which has revealed a slump in full-year profits.

The new format includes a rebranded fascia, improved range, revamped till areas, an enhanced children’s section and more space for shoppers to “sit and relax”. Some of the shops will also feature Paperchase concessions.
Three stores have so far been reformatted and the remainder will be by the end of the summer. The 20 stores account for 21% of the bookseller’s sales.

The changes comes as parent HMV revealed a slump in operating profit at Waterstone’s to £2.8m from £7.2m in the year to April 24.
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