Borders Launches New Holiday In-Stock Guarantee -- If Your Book is Not in the
Store, Borders Will Get it and the Shipping is Free
Free Wi-Fi Now Available In Borders Stores Nationwide
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders is introducing an innovative
new program for the holiday season designed to guarantee a satisfying shopping
experience for customers. Beginning today, Borders launches the industry's
first-ever "In-Stock Guarantee," promising customers that if they do not find
an item in stock in a Borders store, and that item is among the more than one
million titles available on Borders.com, Borders will find it and pay the
shipping costs to the customer's home.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO )
Borders' "In-Stock Guarantee" applies not only to books - any item carried on
Borders.com is eligible. There is no per-customer limit on the number of items
eligible for this program. The "In-Stock Guarantee" program runs through most
of the holiday season, with Dec. 16 as the final date items can be located and
reach customers in time for Christmas.
"Our goal is to have every single customer leave our stores happy this holiday
season," said Mike Edwards, executive vice president and chief merchandising
officer for Borders. "We have stocked our shelves to the rafters. As a result,
we hope to have exactly what customers are looking for among the hundreds of
thousands of items we have in stock, but if there is something we don't have
on the shelf, we are going to get it in their hands within days, and pay the
shipping costs.
"We believe that no bookseller has done this before and we are excited to
break new ground in customer service this holiday season," said Edwards. "We
want customers to know that there is a new and very compelling reason to do
their holiday shopping with us. At Borders, shoppers are guaranteed a
satisfying shopping trip. No one else can promise them that!"
The "In-Stock Guarantee" applies only to Borders bricks and mortar stores, but
there is also a free shipping program available online at Borders.com as well.
Generally, orders over $25 purchased on Borders.com will be shipped for free.
Orders placed on the site before Dec. 16 will reach customers in time for the
holiday.
Free Wi-Fi and free customer loyalty program
In addition to the new "In-Stock Guarantee," most Borders superstores
nationwide are now equipped with free Wi-Fi, giving customers the added
convenience of accessing the Internet at no charge while shopping in a Borders
store.
When customers log on, they are given the option to join the free Borders
Rewards® program, a leading customer loyalty program with more than 35 million
members. Borders Rewards members enjoy special pricing and exclusive weekly
offers not available to the general public. Not only is the program free, but
it's also easy and hassle-free because members never need to show their cards
to redeem their savings offers. Importantly, Rewards members earn $5 in
"Borders Bucks" for every $150 of annual qualifying purchases made both
in-store and online at Borders.com. And, when customers sign up now to join
the Rewards program, they will receive a coupon for $5 off a future purchase.
Borders will continue to provide additional exclusive offers to Borders
Rewards members throughout the holiday season.
New kids' toys and games and teen sections
Borders has made a number of enhancements to its superstores that will give
shoppers even more gift options this season. Borders has expanded its
Children's Department to include hundreds of high-quality educational toys and
games. In addition, Borders has also created the Borders Ink Teen Shops,
boutique-like sections that feature a large selection of Young Adult, Graphic
and Manga titles as well as related products that appeal to the teen audience.
The current merchandise assortment includes an extensive collection of
Twilight-themed items like journals, T-shirts, jewelry, pajamas and more.
Borders has also developed "Teaching Zones," special sections dedicated to the
needs of teachers that include a rich assortment of professional development
books, educational titles and other materials.
About Borders Group, Inc.
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a
leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and
entertainment items. The company employs approximately 25,000 throughout the
U.S., primarily in its Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores. Online shopping is
offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of
the products we and our customers are passionate about online at
facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/bordersmedia and youtube.com/bordersmedia.
For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.
SOURCE Borders
Mary Davis, +1-734-477-1374, mdavis4@bordersgroupinc.com
