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Originally Posted by stonetools
Since Amazon apparently outbid BN, my guess is that Waterstones probably got paid a boatload of money. Hope Mr. Waterstones CEO invests it well. Look for Waterstones to start retailing stuff other than books in the near future
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Well the arrangement isn't exclusive:
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Waterstones could sell other devices instore alongside the Kindle, as m.d. James Daunt said the arrangement with Amazon is not exclusive.
Speaking at the Hay Festival Business Breakfast panel this morning (3rd June), Daunt said: "We are not selling other devices but if there was another device that we thought was better then we would."
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But why would Waterstones want to partner with B&N?
Trying to roll the Nook out to the UK market would be a hugely uphill task. It has no name recognition, and neither do B&N. There is one absolutely dominant competitor in the Kindle, and several other competitors as well (Kobo, Sony plus off-brand).
They would have to dedicate floor space, and train staff, on a product line that has little chance of being profitable. They've been down that road before with the Sonys.
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Speaking to The Bookseller after the event, Daunt said he would consider selling other devices "in the future", if customer demand was there. He said: "As you know, we were selling other devices when I arrived, and I kicked them out because, frankly, it was embarrassing.
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Far less effort will be required to sell Kindles, because they already have mindshare, and people know what they do, and they will sell more of them.
If B&N had moved into the UK market before Amazon, they would have had a good chance. If they have moved in before Kobo, they might have carved out a niche. Now?