Borders talks to offload digital arm collapse
Talks between Borders and its digital agency Tangent about taking over the retailer’s online arm are thought to have collapsed because of the uncertainty over the future of the book sellers’ UK business.
Borders, which has stopped taking orders on its website while it is in discussions with potential buyers for its 45 UK stores, had been looking to offload the online arm of its business to focus on its core store offering.
The retailer had held talks with Tangent about the digital agency taking over the business and running it in-house.
Borders and Tangent were unavailable to comment at the time of writing.
Borders is reportedly struggling to find sufficient funds to continue to operate through the busy festive period and it is thought the retailer could go into administration if a buyer cannot be found.
Rival book seller WH Smith reportedly walked away from a rescue deal to buy 36 of Borders’ 45 UK stores last Friday (20 November) and it is understood Borders is now holding talks with HMV, which owns rival bookseller Waterstone’s about a possible sale.
The retailer was the subject of a buyout by its management team in July backed by Valco Capital Partners, the private equity arm of restructuring firm, Hilco.
Borders UK chief executive Philip Downer said in a statement at the time of the deal that it would allow the business to “develop our innovative approach to bookselling”.
