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Bertelsmann to launch Dutch chain

14.06.07

German media giant Bertelsmann is expanding its Direct Group, with the launch of a new bookselling chain in the Netherlands. The first branch in the Cosmox chain, which combines traditional bookshops with book clubs and online activities, will launch in Alkmaar this autumn. At least two more stores will launch later in the year. The name Cosmox is taken from the online bookshop launched by Bertelsmann's Dutch book club operation ECI in early 2006.

The Alkmaar branch will take over the premises of Zwaan & Ter Burg, a popular local bookseller bought by ECI seven years ago. Just under 8,000 sq ft of the 10,000 sq ft total floor space will be devoted to general books. The remainder will be occupied by an ECI "boutique" reserved for book club members.

The combination of book club business, book trade and online activities is already well-established in France, where Direct Group has become the country's second largest bookseller through its France Loisirs book club, its online bookseller www.chapitre.com, and its booksellers Librairies Privat and Alsatia.

The model is also being launched on the Iberian peninsula. In Portugal, 48 branches of Direct Group's book chain Livraria Bertrandare are being linked to its book club Circulo de Leitores. Spanish book club Circulo de Lectores set up its first store under the Bertrand brand in Madrid in April. A further 29 stores are planned. In Austria, book club Donauland recently launched a store in Vienna with local bookseller Frick.

Random House Bertelsmann BCA Book Club Associates

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