I guess technology is hurting another retail chain
By kingparker
@kingparker (9673)
United States
February 13, 2011 10:50am CST
As you know, Amazon is the pioneer to develop the e - reader, Kindle, follow suited by Barnes & Nobles' Nook. These e - readers gain their popularity through general public, it not only save space at your home, they also portable and convenient wherever you go. And you can access to thousands of them either online or save them in the memory.
Without innovative ideas, it will be hard to survive such big hits. Border bookstore, one of the nation's biggest book selling chain is on the verge of bankruptcy lately on news. I guess, those technologies are the biggest reasons that put Border in such situation. They should be innovative on book selling technique in order to compete with others.
2 people like this
4 responses
@stevieboi19 (1419)
•
13 Feb 11
I myself don't know border bookstore as I'm from the UK but I'm not so sure it's just down to the fact of technology it is however a big factor which can related to their poor finance's but in general the world are spending less which is another major factor in terms of their situation. Border Bookstore are only one company to fall foul of others benefits but think on small time basis of local book stores who have earned far less than even the likes of border bookstore and yet they're all facing the same struggle against the kindle and other e-readers plus the financial situation throughout the world.
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
13 Feb 11
Well, I understand that people are unwilling to spend during the recession period. That might be one of the factor attribute to the failure of Borders bookstore. But mainly people rather go on Amazon or get their books read through those e - readers.
@stevieboi19 (1419)
•
13 Feb 11
I myself use Amazon but always buy paper back books and don't like the idea of an E-reader but I also prefer cheaper books and if one chain is competitive enough then it tough luck for them as cheaper prices equal more books for me. Business is essentially a competition and it's up to the various companies to develop some sort of way to beat the bigger names/ cheaper names.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
15 Feb 11
Hi Kingparker, technology alone is not enough to kill off Border.
I think the management of Border was not smart enough when they were making tons of money.
Do you know the success stories of McDonald?
Their real business is not in selling burgers. it is in the real estate. McDonald owns the land in which it builds the restaurant, and some of these lands are in prime area.
I think Border spends too much on rental, and did not buy enough real estate to diversify its sources of income.
@allyoftherain (7208)
• United States
15 Feb 11
I HATE ereaders. To the pit with those monstrous gadgets that claim to be books!
I hate it when people say ereaders are portable. I always thought books where portable, and I carry one wherever I go. I don't want to save more free space at home, I'd rather be surrounded by books! Bah... digital files are not enough. So I hiss at ereaders!
Yeah... so that being my opinion about ereaders, no I don't think Borders should compromise and come out with an ereader. I would shop at Borders to help them out, but the nearest one is more than 45 minutes away and the nearest Barns and Noble is about 5. But do I buy the Nook? Of course I don't buy the Nook. Shopping for real books is so much more fun. I hate technology. It doesn't need to ruin my good old fashioned and totally reliable paper books.
@macdingolinger (10385)
• United States
13 Feb 11
I think we have learned over the last few years that no one is too big to go down! It can be sad though. I would say it is more likely poor management or greedy admin behind something that big "going down." If the CEO would cut all the top executives salaries they could save a bundle and save the company. Someone somewhere stands to benefit from the shutdown.
