Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Collins Booksellers to acquire 'group of' A&R franchises

Australian Bookseller & Publisher

Collins Booksellers has announced that it has secured agreement with REDgroup administrators Ferrier Hodgson to acquire an undisclosed number of the surviving Angus & Robertson (A&R) franchise stores.

Collins Booksellers CEO Daniel Jordon confirmed to the Weekly Book Newsletter that a number of A&R franchises will be joining the Collins network, and Collins is currently working with these franchises to manage the transition. The franchises will trade under the Collins brand.
Jordon said negotiations are continuing with 'a significant number' of other A&R franchisees that have expressed interest in joining the Collins group. Collins said in a statement yesterday that announcements regarding additional franchisees joining Collins will be made in the coming weeks.
Jordon said he expects the acquisition to be finalised by the end of this month. Together with a number of new Collins stores to be opened soon, the acquisition will expand the Collins network from its current size of 52 stores to more than 70 stores.
Chairman of Collins Booksellers, Duncan Johnston said in a statement yesterday: 'We recognise the achievements of Angus & Robertson franchisees and the key role they play in book retailing nationwide. We are cognisant ofthe difficulties A&R franchisees have experienced in recent months through no fault of their own and the need for these franchisees to focus on what they do best which is operating successful retail bookshops. They will be able to do this with all the support and benefits provided by Collins Booksellers.'
Jordon added: 'We acknowledge the efforts of individual franchisees investing in their businesses over many years. Collins Booksellers franchisees have experienced exactly the same efforts in building a business to prosper and create wealth. We are looking forward to welcoming A&R franchisees into the group and providing them with the platform, support and stability to continue to grow their businesses and take advantage of the many benefits Collins provides to its Franchisees.'
Collins Booksellers said in the same statement that it will soon 'announce some other new projects that will benefit all Collins franchisees'. The booksellers' website and ecommerce platform are expected be relaunched later this year. As previously reported by the Weekly Book Newsletter, Collins announced in April that it has acquired online bookseller Seek Media and plans to sell ebooks this year. 

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