The Bookseller.com

4th July 2009

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Downer plans Borders review

31.01.08 Graeme Neill

Borders UK's new c.e.o. Philip Downer is to carry out a review of the business as his first task at the helm of the company. Speaking to The Bookseller the day after David Roche left the business, Downer said he was responsible for all aspects of Borders. He said that there were "no immediate plans" to make further changes to the structure of the business, but that his appointment gave him the "opportunity to look at the structure of the whole team". He said: "I'm carrying out a category review across the entire business to ensure we have the right people in the right places."

Roche departed Borders yesterday after just under two years at the helm of the business. He took over from Downer when he joined in March 2006.

Downer said that among the plans for the business over the next 12 months was a multi-million pound capital expenditure. IT systems will be replaced, a new transactional website will begin trading in April, and there will be new tills along with a revamp of customer information instore, buying systems and financial management. "We need to re-engineer the way we deliver what we do to ensure we have the right system structure and people in place," he said. "It's not about opening new stores but about driving more sales and excitement from the stores we have got."

Downer said that it was "highly unlikely" that the Books Etc wing of the business would be sold off. " I'm not going to say we won't close under-performing stores," he said. "I'm leaving all options open; there's nothing decided one way or another." However, the Shepherds Bush branch of Books Etc will close in early March and the company is looking to rehouse its 11 staff.

Borders UK has been saying since the m.b.o. in September that it has been looking at introducing new products. Downer said the business intends to roll out computer games alongside its CD and DVD offer "soon" and it is hoping to build upon its children's departments. "The children's book offer performance is spectacular. We are testing other approaches to toys and games. There's an opportunity to expand upon that and take the children's department to the next level. There's more that could be done with the space."

Downer said his immediate plans include a move of office down a floor to where the buying team are. "It's a signal of a more inclusive approach," he said. "We employ so many well qualified intelligent people. Bookselling probably employs more people with degrees than any other retail sector. We need to take advantage and make use of the ideas people have for the business. We need to remind people that they are part of one big successful team."

Borders David Roche Graeme Neill Philip Downer