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Waterstone's managing director Dominic Myers has hailed its new look as "the first stage of our response to the performance last year", after the chain officially unveiled its revamped Kensington store at a launch event held last night (30th). It followed Waterstone's full year results, in which the chain revealed a slump in profits of more than 70%.
In a speech at the event, Myers said: "What we did in Kensington will be gradually rolled out across the chain. It's not about fixture and fittings and a lick of paint. We have tried to make the store more comfortable, more accessible and brightened it up for customers. We've slightly refreshed the brand and brought in more dynamic titles."
The store has revamped its offer, which is more tailored for its local customers, has Waterstone's new look logo and also introduced more chairs and floor space.
Publishers at the launch party included HarperCollins' John Bond, David Roche and Patrick Janson Smith, Penguin's Tom Weldon, Random House's Gary Prior, Transworld's Larry Finlay, Picador's Paul Baggaley, Bloomsbury's Nigel Newton and Richard Charkin. Authors included Ken Follett, Christos Tsiolkas, Michael Winner and Robert Muchamore.
The chain's founder Tim Waterstone was also among those guests showing support for the chain.