If CNN Money (and a bunch of other news services) is right, A&R Whitcoulls, the business owned by Pacific Equity Partners and which owns Supanews, is set to acquire the the Borders Australian, New Zealand and Singaporean businesses. The implications of this move for newsagents is significant and I am sure will be felt for years to come.
“The implications of this move for newsagents is significant and I am sure will be felt for years to come.”
For those of us who aren’t intimate with newsagency business, what are the implications and what will be the issues.
The SMH this morning reports that it is indeed almost a done deal (expected to finalised next week) for USD$110m (AUD$115m).
It’s been confirmed: From The Australian at 10:26am
BOOK and stationery firm A&R Whitcoulls (ARW) has acquired 30 Borders bookstores in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore for $110 million.
Under the agreement, A&R Whitcoulls Group will gain exclusive rights to use the Borders trademarks in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.
The transaction has been approved by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC).
Jim, The implications are that A&R will have books, magazines and cards covered from mass merchant (Borders) down to small business (supanews). The buying power will strengthen their competitive positioning. I suspect we will see each retail model adjust so they can make the most of the new group. Mark
I know which newsagency brand I will be buying into. I have just read the report and expect that the supanews brand will be a significant and industry leading model as time moves forward.