The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Blackwell relaunches website

06.08.08 Catherine Neilan

Academic retailer Blackwell has marked the first phase of its digital refresh with the launch of a new website at blackwell.co.uk. The Oxford-based bookseller also plans to launch an electronic loyalty-card as well as a range of "social networking tools".

The firm said the relaunch was aimed at creating a more "customer-focused" experience, "drawing on the pleasure of buying and browsing in a bookshop". The site includes online access to Blackwell's "Readers' Corner", interviews with authors such as Nick Harkaway and Tim Etchells, and a selection of podcasts and online competitions.

The group has expanded the range of products to the online customer to include CDs, audio books and DVDs, as well as Blackwell-branded stationery and book accessories. Customers can also buy second-hand books, and be redirected to Blackwell mini-sites that offer specialisms such as rare books, out-of-print books and maps.

Claire Zuurbier, director of e-commerce, said this was "just the first stage" of Blackwell's refresh, which would be completed in stages over the next twelve months. "Forthcoming phases incorporate a variety of digital media and social networking tools, but all will have the customer at the heart of the changes," she added.

Phill Jamieson, head of marketing at the retailer, said Blackwell was also planning to introduce an electronic loyalty card and gift cards, which could be used online as well as in store, later this year.

Blackwell is the latest high street bookseller to improve its web presence, and follows that of fellow retailers Waterstone's and Borders, which respectively relaunched their websites in September 2006 and June 2008.

Retail blackwell online Home Catherine Neilan