[carpetmojo]

I just wonder how Waterstone's executives see the progress of their "arrangement" with Amazon ? (And yes, I do maintain the possesive ...)

Satisfied and happy, do you think ?

Was their takeover by Mr. Mamut an enduring life line, and James Daunt's announcement in May 2012 that they would sell Kindles a wise move by a far-sighted businessman ?
[Who said, incidentally,"A world that is totally dominated by Amazon will be a poorer one," Mr Daunt tells the BBC when asked about the decision.
Jeff Bezos and Kindle Paperwhite e-reader Amazon's boss, Jeff Bezos, says his firm sells Kindle e-readers and tablets for break-even prices
"But that is not to say that I don't think that Amazon is - within the limits of what it does - absolutely fantastic."]
Yes, well .... canny soul, isn't he.

I just ask as I was looking for Robin Hobbs "Ship of Destiny" ebook, and started at Amazon - yes, @£5.99, and tried Waterstones - yes, @ £6.70.
Mmmmm........
A little surprised, I then, completely at random, looked up "An Officer and a Spy" by Robert Harris : Amazon - yes, @£6.74, and Waterstones - yes, yes indeedy, @ £8.49 !
Then, "The Back Road" Rachel Abbot - Amazon, £1.57 - Waterstones, £1.99.

Now, I haven't checked anymore titles - yet - but it was quite an eye-opener for me, and confirmed my original feelings that certainly the Kindle move was, well, not necessarily the most brilliant move.
At such price differentials, what the hell chance has Waterstone's got of keeping any share of the market they may have had, let alone increasing it ?

So, in what was presumably seen as a great opportunity to increase profits for one of the best remaining High Street bookshops, has helped Amazon shift a few more Kindles, thereby introducing even more book buyers to the nice and cheap Kindle store.

I think ".....poorer...." world was the phrase used by Mr. Gaunt .

I can't help thinking the "poorer" at least, might apply to a certain bookstore of his close acqaintance.