To maximize this effort, we reorganized our internal structure at the close of 2005, creating a single management team for all of our domestic stores. At the same time, we also began rolling out a new advanced merchandising system, which ultimately will unite the technology platform shared by all business segments and improve our national distribution and logistics network. In 2006, we will continue to strengthen our infrastructure by further investment in the merchandising system and by opening a new full-service distribution center in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
As part of our single brand strategy, we converted 98 Waldenbooks stores to Borders Express stores during 2005, making modest investments to improve store layout and merchandise selection. These Borders Express stores performed well relative to an overall 4.5% decrease in sales within the Waldenbooks Specialty Retail segment. We continue to manage this segment rationally, focusing on improving operations, closing poorly performing stores as necessary, and converting to Borders Express in markets that make sense. During 2005, we also opened five new Borders airport stores and continued to advance our seasonal mall calendar and Borders Outlet store businesses.
In addition to enhancing our stores, we are investing in training and advancement programs for our people, so they can deliver the best possible shopping experience for our customers. We are also improving our in-store technology, expanding Borders Search interactive self-service computer stations to include special order capabilities, a Borders Rewards registration and tracking feature, and other functions such as music listening.
Led by our store employees, who continue to distinguish themselves by displaying intense focus and effective execution, we have launched a companywide "We Are All Booksellers" initiative. This rallying point reminds all Borders Group employees everywhere — from the corporate headquarters to our distribution centers to stores around the globe — that it is everyone's responsibility to make Borders stores the world's preferred destination for books.
We ended fiscal 2005 with a strong balance sheet, as total debt increased only modestly to support increases in capital expenditures and share repurchases. During the year, we bought back 11.6 million shares of stock, totaling $265.9 million, and our Board of Directors approved up to $250 million in additional stock repurchases at its meeting in January 2006. Earlier, the Board voted to increase our quarterly cash dividend by 11% to $0.10 per share, our second increase since instituting a dividend in 2003.