Among International's operating initiatives in 2002, we improved our store model
in Australia, and vastly improved our organization and infrastructure in the
Pacific Rim region. We also streamlined inventory management and stocking in the
U.K., contributing to increased turn and well merchandised, more productive stores.
3. Leveraging Alliances and Technology
Our successful alliance with Amazon.com, launched in April 2001, continues to grow
stronger, giving us more ways to sell more books to more customers more often.
Launched in October, the new Express In-Store Pick Up service gives Amazon.com
and Borders.com shoppers the option of ordering books, music and movies online for
later purchase and pick up at a nearby Borders store. Customers who have used the
new service love it, saying it expands access to our products and provides nearly
"instant gratification" when they shop.
Online purchases made through Borders.com continued to grow at an accelerated rate
in 2002. Customers can also visit Bordersstores.com to find the closest Borders
location, browse up-to-date event information and reserve titles online for in-store
purchase and pick up. In November, we teamed with Amazon.com to launch
Waldenbooks.com, providing 24/7 buying and other services to loyal Waldenbooks
customers.
During the fall, we also launched a new alliance with Alibris, giving our customers
access to more than 15 million used, out-of-print and hard-to-find books worldwide.
Customers can now search for and order these titles to be shipped to their
neighborhood Borders store using one of our in-store Title Sleuth computer stations
or they can have one of our associates place the order for them at an information
desk. This new service gives us yet another way to efficiently find and deliver the
exact book that a customer is looking for, and creates a new growth opportunity for
us in the hard-to-find book category.
Print Letter to Shareholders (PDF)
