BGroup signs accord on Borders bookshop franchise



BERJAYA Group Bhd is expanding into book retailing after having signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Borders Inc - a subsidiary of global book, music and movie retailer Borders Group Inc - to establish a franchise arrangement to operate Borders stores throughout Malaysia.

Michigan-based Borders Group is the leading global retailer of books, music and movies with annual revenue totalling US$3.7bil and employs about 32,000 employees worldwide. The company operates over 450 Borders superstores and about 700 Waldenbooks stores throughout the United States.

The first Borders store was expected to be opened in April next year at Berjaya Times Square, a Berjaya Group statement said yesterday.

Under the arrangement, Berjaya will operate the stores consistent with Borders' brand experience while staff training and systems support would be borne by Borders. This will be the first international franchise arrangement for Borders.

Berjaya chairman and chief executive officer Tan Sri Vincent Tan said in the statement: “We are privileged to be the first Borders franchise in the world and we look forward to a mutually rewarding relationship with Borders in the coming years.

“With the focus on reading and literacy, the marketplace is ready for an expanded choice in book retailers. With the vast assortment Borders stores offer within a welcoming shopping environment, we are confident customers will embrace the Borders brand in Malaysia,” he added.

Berjaya Group currently operates the Starbucks and 7-Eleven chain stores in Malaysia through franchising. It also owns Malaysia's largest shopping mall, Berjaya Times Square with built up area of 7.5 million sq ft.

The statement said plans were for Borders to source the titles offered in the store - primarily English language, but also Malay and Chinese language books - with the aim to provide the widest range of titles in the country.

Borders stores president Vin Altruda said he looked forward to Borders' expansion to Malaysia.

“It is an extension of the successful presence we have in Singapore, where the first store outside the US was opened in 1997.

“Borders Group's international expansion is a key of our company's overall growth strategy. And our global operation is expected to be increasingly important in contributing to our sales and profits,” he added.

Based on its successful record, Berjaya was a “first-rate choice'' to operate the first Borders franchise in the world, Altruda said.

What kinda books do they have there? Is it like MPH?

hopefulli more archi book lah~ coz next round when i come back i hav lots of books to buy :D anyway~ are books in malaysia expensive??? Sze s.o.s :master:

Are bookstores making money in general in M'sia? One of my uncles runs the Times franchise in M'sia/S'pore and apparently he's having a hard time breaking even on stores in M'sia cuz M'sians don't have good reading habits........

MPH's making lots of money for sure in KL but I'm not sure about Kinokuniya or Page One. I think Popular makes the most bucks in Malaysia. They have stores in many states.

What kinda books do they have there? Is it like MPH?


Similar but nicer IMO. In fact I've only been to 3 Borders so far......the one I frequent most is the Borders at IMAX Centre downtown Auckland, Singapore's Wheelock Place Borders and Sydney's (at a famous pedestrian street ..arrggghhhh ...forgot its name!) ;)

The one in Auckland is da best.....it looks as nice as the 'Fox Bookstore' in the film 'You've Got Mail' starring Tom Hanks :)

Are bookstores making money in general in M'sia? One of my uncles runs the Times franchise in M'sia/S'pore and apparently he's having a hard time breaking even on stores in M'sia cuz M'sians don't have good reading habits........


hmmm......I tend to noticed that Times Bookstores tend to have less patronage than that of MPH and Kinokuniya......its much quieter....dunno why. :?

Just take KLCC's for example.....there are so many people at Kinokuniya and yet Times on a busier floor tend to be much quieter....hmmmm....

Mebbe their Feng Shui not good :?

When will Berjaya bring Virgin or HMV music megastores franchises to Malaysia... I was hoping dat day will happen soon!! :D

good job for Berjaya group.now malaysia has a new franchise!

Mebbe their Feng Shui not good :?

When will Berjaya bring Virgin or HMV music megastores franchises to Malaysia... I was hoping dat day will happen soon!! :D


I am waiting for those for a long long time liao......instead we only got Tower Records and Planet Hollywood! :D

I want HMV and Virgin!!! :D

Mebbe their Feng Shui not good :?

When will Berjaya bring Virgin or HMV music megastores franchises to Malaysia... I was hoping dat day will happen soon!! :D
this makes me think of the kinokuniya which has already closed down in gama shopping complex, penang. kinokuniya could survive and prosper if its location is in some of the new building or shopping complex.. gama is just.. damn.. wonder how could it survive till now..

maybe in US.. barnes & Noble has better selection of academic/research books than Borders. I was in new york last week..bought some books there. is popular from singapore? I think kinokuniya in KL is the most impressive one ..hehe..because I like clean-minimalism interior and the lighting. I enjoyed book-shopping in Taiwan. their bookstores are so sopisticated..they should open some in malaysia. since many malaysian best-seller books are in chinese. taiwainese books are very 'packaging'...my parents like their papers quality too..I ordered most of my reference books from taiwan all in chinese so my office competitor wouldn't able to use my books in london...hehe...

I think kinokuniya in KL is the most impressive one ..hehe..because I like clean-minimalism interior and the lighting.


IMO ...the most impressive bookstore for me in Malaysia at the moment is MPH at 1 Utama's new wing. It is double storey and nearly as nice as the Borders which I liked a lot in Auckland.

BTW anyone heard of Chapters? I've been in a Chapters bookstore in Vancouver and it is kinda impressive as well - 3 levels incorporating a Starbucks :D I wonder if it is a US or a Canadian company :?

The MPH in One Utama is really great!I think the atmosphere there is more cozy than the one in Midvaley which is more complecated.

The MPH in One Utama is really great!I think the atmosphere there is more cozy than the one in Midvaley which is more complecated.


The Midvalley one isn't nice at all......it is just big dats all :( But of course it is nicer than many bookstores lah :D

I like all PageOne bookstores......they looked so cool and cozy :okay:

oh yeah..page one is cool.the slanting design is like their trade mark.do they still do that to new stores?actually it was like one of the first designer book stores i visited back in the mid 90s:D the good old days

oh yeah..page one is cool.the slanting design is like their trade mark.do they still do that to new stores?actually it was like one of the first designer book stores i visited back in the mid 90s:D the good old days


yea.....but their new stores isn't that slanting anymore (just look at KLCC's). I like their first outlet at Lot 10 (before Lot 10's refurbishment in 1996). That out let is very slanting :D

I like SBL (Syarikat Buku Lim)!!! :D:D:D

I like SBL (Syarikat Buku Lim)!!! :D:D:D


I tot SBL is just a manufacturer of books like exercise books? :?

ANyway last time I used to like to go to Pustaka Dunia at Jalan Pasar for book-hunting (mostly school books). Then I upgraded to The Big Bookstore before discovering that 'Sang Kancil' Bookstore (or some name related to Kancil) :D at KL Plaza. When I am little....my mom used to bring me to Berita Bookstore at BB Plaza to buy books :D

I tot SBL is just a manufacturer of books like exercise books? :?

ANyway last time I used to like to go to Pustaka Dunia at Jalan Pasar for book-hunting (mostly school books). Then I upgraded to The Big Bookstore before discovering that 'Sang Kancil' Bookstore (or some name related to Kancil) :D at KL Plaza. When I am little....my mom used to bring me to Berita Bookstore at BB Plaza to buy books :D

Ehh... no lah... they started with a bookshop business... in SS2 Pee Jay!! :)

Ehh... no lah... they started with a bookshop business... in SS2 Pee Jay!! :)

haha....din know that! :D

Now still got ah?

Of course got arr!! :) It's a family business...

Hi Sze,

Chapters is a Canadian company. I was in there Vancouver store on Granville too last month -very nice, but i do prefer Borders!

I've noticed that books are really expensive in Malaysia. Is that maybe why you don't have major bookstores?

Gary

Hi Sze,

Chapters is a Canadian company. I was in there Vancouver store on Granville too last month -very nice, but i do prefer Borders!

I've noticed that books are really expensive in Malaysia. Is that maybe why you don't have major bookstores?

Gary


Thanks! :okay:

Yeah....Borders seems cozier :D Chapters is like....I dunno - too 'white' ? :D

ANyway I also like Whitcoulls (I think it is a New Zealand company). It has a very comprehensive (and cheap) DVD store. Their Boxing Day prices are simply amazing ;)

hmmm....I think most of the books are really expensive here is because of the lack of major bookstores. The reason for the lack of major bookstores is because of the lacking in habit of reading amongst the people here (sad but true). So as the result books are generally more expensive here. Ordering a book via catalogue and online sometimes could be cheaper and you definitely would have a better variety of choice :)

I think books are more expensive in M'sia if taken on 1:1 pricing with example US/Canada. But if converted, the books actually cost about the same....for Western print stuff of course. Chinese books are dirt cheap, and Indian/local publications are cheap too!

I think the problem is most english books are imported. We don't have many publications willing to buy the copyright..or rather the market is too small. Unlike india, there are so much publication house could offer cheap english books. Could anyone tell me the english books market in philippines?. I think the UK edition of english books are slightly expensive than the US one. US prefer the pocket size after hard copy realised. UK edition are slightly bigger.
Malaysia one are imported from US, right.

..some more our Dewan Bahasa not so keen on securing the copyright foreign books. what they had achieved for the past 30 years. we can't even get a bahasa edition of children's harry porter. Denmark got only 5 millions population. you could find almost major danish translation of books around the world in their bookstore.

There are many chinese publications in malaysia/singapore. They offer cheaper edition of chinese books from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Not so much from China, because most books from mainland have to scan by malaysain authority.. very tightly and the process are extreemly slow.
But the prices are still very expensive by malaysian salary standart. an average novel is between RM18 to RM22. No wonder there are so much 'pirated' chinese books in malaysian. shame to admit..I bought many cheap 'pirated' chinese books they said printed in JB and kuantan, when i was still a student in KL :whisper: ..ok I wouldn't do it again...but strange leh...how come there wansn't any pirated academic reference books or english books. since people prefer to buy pirated software..hehe.. back then it was very fashionable to use photocopy machine the whole library text book for 3 cent per page.

but i last discovered chinese books at kinokuniya are so expensive when I was in malaysia. as much expensive as the Japanese books at Isetan. they are marketing on chinese books collectors? many nice books are directly imported from Taiwan. similar japanese papers quality. oh yeah one thing I like about kinokuniya is their stationary section...they sell the best quality papers you could find in malaysia. good for chinese/japanese calligraphy. I don't think MPH could challenge that yet..hehe..Even in london I have to go mostly japanese bookstores to get quality paper for my calligraphy lessons.

So any pics?

No pics of the under construction works but I managed to get a picture of the 'entrance'. :D

http://pwp.maxis.net.my/szehoong/pix/berjayatimessq/borders/IMG_8438sm.jpg

when was this picture taken?

when was this picture taken?

Taken about 3 weeks back :D

Taken about 3 weeks back :D

Doesn't look that much different 2 months ago....;)

IMO ...the most impressive bookstore for me in Malaysia at the moment is MPH at 1 Utama's new wing. It is double storey and nearly as nice as the Borders which I liked a lot in Auckland.

BTW anyone heard of Chapters? I've been in a Chapters bookstore in Vancouver and it is kinda impressive as well - 3 levels incorporating a Starbucks :D I wonder if it is a US or a Canadian company :?

Yupe, i think the MPH at 1 utama is the most eimpressive bookstore in Malaysia, currently. And now i wonder is that u, or some1 else told me that this MPH bookstore at 1 utama is the biggest bookstore in Malaysia OR it is the biggest MPH bookstore in Malaysia?

Wow inside a bookstore have a Starbucks, that wold be coollll...Is any bookstore in Malaysia inside got starbuk or Coffe Bean or other cafes..hehehe

Yupe, i think the MPH at 1 utama is the most eimpressive bookstore in Malaysia, currently. And now i wonder is that u, or some1 else told me that this MPH bookstore at 1 utama is the biggest bookstore in Malaysia OR it is the biggest MPH bookstore in Malaysia?

Wow inside a bookstore have a Starbucks, that wold be coollll...Is any bookstore in Malaysia inside got starbuk or Coffe Bean or other cafes..hehehe


MPH One Utama is currently the largest bookstore in Malaysia ;)

Well.....only a few bookstores around Klang Valley that I know of have cafe inside it....examples:


1) Kinokuniya/Page One, KLCC

2) MPH Midvalley

3) MPH One Utama


Can't think of anymore.........dunno if still got others leh :D

MPH One Utama is currently the largest bookstore in Malaysia ;)

Well.....only a few bookstores around Klang Valley that I know of have cafe inside it....examples:


1) Kinokuniya/Page One, KLCC

2) MPH Midvalley

3) MPH One Utama


Can't think of anymore.........dunno if still got others leh :D


But seriously, i dosen't feel like MPH at 1 utama is the biggets le...The popular in the Ikano even bigger...The Popular's floor square feet is bigger than MPH at 1 utama. But then, Popular at Ikano have only 1 floor while MPH have 2 floor..:D

I still prefer Kinokuniya though ;)

eh..MPH Midvalley is the largest in Malaysia lah..2nd Kinokuniya..3rd Popular at Ikano..4th..could be the MPH at One Utama?

Wow..really!!!Nvr been to Midvalley MPH;)

Ya i just 1 to say, Kinokuniya at KLCC seems like bigger than MPH 1 Utama;)

wah! I always use Midvalley MPH to lalu by to avoid the promoters. :D

wah! I always use Midvalley MPH to lalu by to avoid the promoters. :D

Wat do u means...???care to explain more:D

eh..MPH Midvalley is the largest in Malaysia lah..2nd Kinokuniya..3rd Popular at Ikano..4th..could be the MPH at One Utama?


MPH One Utama is larger than Midvalley's lah! :bash: :D

I read it somewhere........this place is like got 2 floors lah........dun refer to the website as it is outdated :D

i think the only bookstore i've been in Kl is MPH in Midvalley:D

Wat do u means...???care to explain more:D

me mean he avoid the promoters by passing through MPH coz there's no promoters in MPH:D

me mean he avoid the promoters by passing through MPH coz there's no promoters in MPH:D

That 1 i understand..I can't imagine the place...and wat promoters..

That 1 i understand..I can't imagine the place...and wat promoters..


I think he a bit exarggerate lah.....the promoters where got so scary one (if there is any in the first place) :D

Maybe he kena harrased by promoters badly before :lol:

They call me abang! They are in fact older than me. And one time an Ice Breaker promoter was giving me a leaflet :cry:

LOL! yeah maybe I exagerrate :D

Director: Berjaya Books will open 10 Borders stores


BY SABRY TAHIR


BERJAYA Group Bhd’s books retailing arm, Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd, plans to open 10 Borders bookstores in Malaysia in the next five years, said Berjaya Books director Francis Lee.

“The typical investment for each store is between RM15mil and RM20mil,” he said in Kuala Lumpur yesterday after signing a tenancy agreement with Boustead Curve Sdn Bhd, which owns The Curve retail complex in Mutiara Damansara.

The company was currently identifying strategic locations, mainly in the Klang Valley, for the bookstores, he added.

Lee said that the first Borders outlet would open at the Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur on April 19.

“The outlet in Berjaya Times Square will be the biggest Borders outlet in the world,” he said.

The store will boast a collection of 200,000 titles in English and Chinese.

Lee said the outlet in Berjaya Times Square would be the second Borders store in Asean, after Singapore.






http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/3/9/business/p3books.jpg

Berjaya Books director Francis Lee (right) exchanging documents with Boustead Curve director Datuk Ghazali Mohd Ali. With them are Boustead Holdings Bhd managing director Tan Sri Lodin Wak Kamaruddin (second from left) and Borders Pacific Rim managing director John Campradt.








Berjaya Books would open its second Borders outlet at The Curve before the end of the year, Lee said, adding that the company planned to open eight more outlets by 2010.

Berjaya Books became the Michigan-based Borders Group Inc’s franchisee in Malaysia in October last year, when it teamed up with the latter’s subsidiary Borders Inc.

The Borders store at The Curve would be more than 23,000 sq ft and feature an extensive selection of books, music and movies, a café and lifestyle ambience for relaxing and reading.

They call me abang! They are in fact older than me. And one time an Ice Breaker promoter was giving me a leaflet :cry:

LOL! yeah maybe I exagerrate :D



hahaha....mestilah panggil abang.....or else how to sell leh? Esp if girls call you abang....wah! :D ...shiok eh? :naughty: .....pasti beli punya :lol:

Anyway just a few days back, I was at BTS watching movie and I saw the size of Borders U/C. It is freaking 3 storeys and it took like almost a quarter of BTS floor space! :eek:

Well.....I really really like Borders...hopefully it would keep up to its theme of cosy ambience and plush sofas (for reading of course!) :D

And the Borders Cafe is fabulous.......I spent hours there reading while sipping on a cup of coffee :D

“The outlet in Berjaya Times Square will be the biggest Borders outlet in the world,” he said.

Anyway just a few days back, I was at BTS watching movie and I saw the size of Borders U/C. It is freaking 3 storeys and it took like almost a quarter of BTS floor space! :eek:

Well.....I really really like Borders...hopefully it would keep up to its theme of cosy ambience and plush sofas (for reading of course!) :D

And the Borders Cafe is fabulous.......I spent hours there reading while sipping on a cup of coffee :D

:eek: wow!!!!! sounds so damn interesting!!

3 storeys!!!? :eek:

hahaha....mestilah panggil abang.....or else how to sell leh? Esp if girls call you abang....wah! :D ...shiok eh? :naughty: .....pasti beli punya :lol:

Last time at KLsentral got one girl waering tudung stop me for some promotion. I listen lor..she call me abang somemore. Pretty slim one. hehe
then i notice closely..she's a he!!! He was trying so hard to make a lady's voice! got crossdressers wear tudung also ar? :lol:

Posted on Wed, Mar. 09, 2005

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/business/11088356.htm
Repoort: Borders to open 10 bookstores in Malaysia

Associated Press



KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Borders Group Inc. plans to open a store in Kuala Lumpur next month, the first of the 10 outlets planned for Malaysia, the Star newspaper reported Wednesday.

The stores will be operated by Malaysian company, Berjaya Group Bhd., the newspaper said.

It said the Kuala Lumpur store will open in the sprawling Berjaya Times Square shopping mall on April 19. It will have a collection of about 200,000 English and Chinese titles.

A message was left early Wednesday seeking comment from Borders.

The Star said Berjaya plans to open a second store by the end of 2005 in northern Kuala Lumpur. The locations for the remaining eight stores, which will be opened by 2010, have not been disclosed.

Berjaya Books director Francis Lee said the company would invest $3.9 million to $5.3 million on each store. Store layout plans also include a cafe and a conducive space for relaxing and reading.

Borders is a publicly held Fortune 500 company with annual sales of $3.7 billion. It says it operates more than 460 Borders superstores in the United States and 41 Borders stores outside the United States, primarily in Britain and the Pacific Rim.

In addition, it operates 36 Books etc. stores in Britain and about 700 Waldenbooks stores in malls across America.

Borders' first international bookstore was in Singapore, and the Kuala Lumpur store would be its second outlet in Southeast Asia.

ON THE NET

Borders Group Inc.: http://www.bordersgroupinc.com

From Borders' website:




Our Stores

Our customers often refer to their local Borders store as "my Borders." We appreciate it, and the feeling is mutual.

Every Borders store offers a vast selection of books, music, movies, and more, tailored specifically to the interests of the community it serves.

We provide cozy chairs, comfortable cafes, and listening stations, so our customers can relax and stay awhile. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to help you find what you're looking for, or you can use our convenient Title Sleuth stations to explore on your own.

Looking for a store near you? Visit www.bordersstores.com. In addition to our store locator, you'll find more helpful info there, including in-store events listings, Borders Recommends titles, and a current list of money-saving special offers at Borders stores. Plus, you can search our inventory and reserve items to pick up and purchase later at your nearest store.




Borders International Stores

When Borders opened its first international store in Singapore, the local custom was to keep new books shrink-wrapped in plastic. We took the wrappers off and uncovered a new world of exploration for shoppers there.

From Singapore to New Zealand and the U.K. to Australia, Borders has welcomed book and music lovers on three continents outside North America. In fact, Borders is the only U.S. book retailer to go global. We've even opened bilingual Borders stores in Puerto Rico that offer both English- and Spanish-language titles.

In any culture, our stores speak to people. For international locations visit www.bordersstores.com.

When Borders opened its first international store in Singapore, the local custom was to keep new books shrink-wrapped in plastic. We took the wrappers off and uncovered a new world of exploration for shoppers there. :eek: ....this is what I am looking for! :D I hope they would do this in Malaysia ( I am pretty sure they would :D )

Wow, three storeys? That is, like, really HUGE for a bookstore, man! Even the MPH Megastore in 1u is only two... Looks like Times Square will be full of everything superlatives!

Speaking of the "wrapping-up of books in plastic" thingy, doesn't MPH display their books unwrapped? I remember my dad always liking to go to MPH because he can "sneak preview" the books he wants to buy over there!

wow!! can spend hours in there!! sound so coooooooool :D

Hey...how was you SPM result ;)

Wow, three storeys? That is, like, really HUGE for a bookstore, man! Even the MPH Megastore in 1u is only two... Looks like Times Square will be full of everything superlatives!

Speaking of the "wrapping-up of books in plastic" thingy, doesn't MPH display their books unwrapped? I remember my dad always liking to go to MPH because he can "sneak preview" the books he wants to buy over there!



Hahaha....yea......I too like some bookstores like MPH for not wrapping their books. But not all books are unwrapped :(

ANyway MPH only practises this after Borders opened in Singapore many years back. Well there are still many bookstores with wrapped books like Kinokuniya. What I like about Kino is that they only keep the browsing copy unwrapped while the rest wrapped. I like it cos I hate buying books which had been browsed before ( a very bad habit of Malaysian is that they do not take care of any books they browse :( ).

Another bookstore which no books are wrapped is Page One :okay:

But in Borders' case......they have nice nice sofas for you to browse the stack of books which you choose :D ...yes......you could move a stack of books to the sofa and sit there till doomsday :lol:

I remember myself browsing till asleep at Singapore's Borders many years back :D

Some pics of borders overseas:

http://www.rightsideny.com/other/seaport061603/borders_newstore.jpg

http://www.thelagroup.com/photos/borders.jpg

http://www.nhdkm.com/images_menu/d_projectsinprogress/borders/borders_construction.jpg

http://www.kylepriddle.com/images/chicago_2003_august/michigan_avenue_borders.JPG

wow!! nice looking stores!! where are they located??

The last one looks like it's in Chicago, along the so called, 'Magnificent Mile' which is a long stretch of road close to Lake Michigan full of brand name shops......

I saw Borders in its full glory on Friday night ( Saturday nite also :D )!!! :banana: Lotsa books....nice design and lotsa sitting areas :okay:

Bad news: They are not bringing in Borders Cafe but and they have ANOTHER Starbucks there. That brings a total of 3 Starbucks in that shopping mall alone! :dizzy:

The worst news: Although I believe I saw some sofas and armchairs.......I also saw lotsa lotsa wooden benches ( without back support ones! :rant: ) there! It is NOT like those Borders one would find overseas with plush furniture that would entice you to stay there to read :rant: (which is one of Borders main marketing strategy) ;)

Does the new Borders look similar to the ones on these sites:?

http://www.visualstore.com/index.php/channel/22/id/7768

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/17/897/1024/BordersBooks.jpg

Does it have plasma tv screens all over the store?

Please fill us in. Hopefully someone can take pictures of the new store for all to see. Thanks.


http://www.visualstore.com/dbimages/7768-1.jpg


http://photos1.blogger.com/img/17/897/1024/BordersBooks.jpg



^^^ Yea! I looked very much like this! ;) .....esp the red colour theme! :cool:

Too bad I did not bring my camera out......anyway I did not go in as it is not opened yet.....I only saw it from the outside......so din see if got any plasmas or not :D

ANyway it is opening tomorrow!!! :banana:

Here's a feature from SundayStar:





Bounty of books



When American bookstore chain, Borders, decided to set up its biggest store in the world in Kuala Lumpur, everyone involved knew it would be a (pardon the pun) big job. StarMag takes a look behind the scenes to find out how a gargantuan space is filled with books.

HOW do you sort 7,000 cartons of books? With great difficulty?. It takes this huge number of books to fill the shelves of what will be the world’s biggest Borders store when the bookshop opens on Tuesday.





http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/17/features/sm_pg20nancy.jpg

Nancy Dietz is big on customer service and knowledgeable staff.





The American chain, famous for tailoring its inventory to the communities its stores are located in, will open its first Malaysian store in the Berjaya Times Square shopping complex in Kuala Lumpur.

While the inventory varies according to location, the “Borders Look” is carefully maintained in each of its stores worldwide. The look – which includes brightly painted walls, lighting to make reading easy on the eyes, ample comfortable seating – is designed to welcome shoppers and entice them to stay and enjoy the Borders experience.

Managing Director of Borders, Asia Pacific, John Campradt, explains: “According to our surveys, the average shopper spends about an hour in a Borders store. So, if they want to take a stack of books and spend some time reading (Borders is famous for not shrink-wrapping their books so customers can actually read them in the store), we want them to be as comfortable as possible and enjoy their time there.”

Another element of the look is the use of quotes from books that are hung on the walls to highlight the wide selection available. The Borders store in Malaysia has the added distinction of being the only Borders store in the world to have quotes in English, Malay and Chinese.

Other interesting features that Borders offers include plasma TVs to showcase the multimedia section, wide aisles that make wandering around the store easy, and tables with product displays to highlight special selections as well as bargain books in each section throughout the store.






The sort

Once the KL store’s location – comprising more than 5,000 sq m (60,000 sq ft) – had been decided, the gargantuan step of filling that big space began. A team of buyers from the United States, Australia and Malaysia was responsible for the selection of books. Besides the obvious best-sellers, the market was studied to assess customer needs.

“We discovered that there is a very strong kids market here in Malaysia, so we’ve got an amazingly large kids section to give our young customers just what they are looking for,” says Nancy Dietz, Borders Senior Project Manager.

The sort, as the task of getting the books onto shelves is called, was done over a period of four-and-a-half weeks, with employees working continuously six days a week.

It began with the largest ever inventory concentrated in a single Borders store flooding in: over 7,000 cartons of books from all over the world.

Those cartons were then divided among the different areas of the store, coded for the different sections. Next came the process of opening up each carton, sorting the books according to authors, and shelving them alphabetically.

“We take alphabetising very seriously in the sorting process and shelve them accordingly,” says Dietz. “We also shelve some books according to section. For instance, if it is fiction, you’d find the book by author, while if it is art, then you’d have to look under ‘artist’.

“We also have a title look-up system to enable customers to locate the book they want quickly and efficiently.”




Customer Service

Borders stores are known for their knowledgeable staff, so great importance was placed on developing a Malaysian customer service team that understands what Borders stands for.

Borders brought in nine trainers, five from Australia and four from Singapore, who have all worked at different levels in Borders stores worldwide to train some 60 employees in how to sort and shelf, use the systems, and, most importantly, help the customer.

“Even if they might be doing different things each day, at the end of the training period, all of them will have been exposed to almost every aspect of running a bookstore,” explains Dietz.

”At Borders, we are committed to providing the best possible service – which can even include taking customers to the correct section and putting the book they are looking for in their hands.”

Also part of the service is the “Borders Recommends” section to help guide customers towards other books of the same style or genre that interests them. For instance, if a customer enjoys reading John Grisham, chances are Scott Turow might be of interest too.

In addition to sections with books, movies and music, the store also has a Starbucks café that covers more than 200sq m.

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1. Just a fraction of the more than 7,000 cartons of books that were brought into the country to fill the hungry shelves of the world’s biggest Borders store.

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2. The first exciting peek into what’s in store.

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3. This is ‘the sort’, the vital process of getting the right books into the right section and on the right shelves.

Behind the scenes



- WHILE employees found lugging in 2,000 cartons of books a strain, it was the cargo lift that broke down, not human backs – or spirits.

- Malaysian food proved to be a hit with the foreign trainers. They said, “While the sort is the sort is the sort,” you wouldn’t get such good food in some places!

- Besides friendly rivalry between the different teams to see who worked the fastest, employees were also given candy to keep them motivated, and celebrations were held at the end of the day to keep spirits up.

- As the construction was still going on when the sort began, the teams were putting books on the shelves almost as they were being built.

- The customer service team began having shift meetings during which they talk about what is hot in the market, and even what was on Oprah the night before so that they know what their customers will want.

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4. Staff were shelving books almost as the shelves were going up as construction was still going on when stock started streaming into the store.

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5: Customer service and inventory training is an important part of setting up the KL bookstore as Borders stores around the world are known for their knowledgeable staff.

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6: All set for the opening on Tuesday.


TOMORROW!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:


Farid > Wanna go? :D

BORDERS ®

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FUN LEARNING...(from left) Iman Katherine, 4, Imran Kyle Kaizan, 8, and Noor Kimberley Kaizan reading at the kids section at the newly opened Borders, the largest bookstore in the world at Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur, Tuesday. Pix: Mohd Faizol


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Been there yesterday with Sze ;) Lovely place indeed...

Been there yesterday with Sze ;) Lovely place indeed...

I was there too yesterday evening but personally I like KLCC's Kinokuniya better... Borders looks kinda empty la - prolly its still new & few sections still under reno?

Anyway, luv the spacious space & Starbucks cafe there :)

Borders opens its doors in KL
19-04-2005
By Alfean Hardy




Borders Group Inc, the world’s leading book retailer, took another step in its aggressive programme of global expansion following the opening of its world largest store in Kuala Lumpur on April 19.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Kuala Lumpur store, Borders Group International president Rick Vanzura said it had been "extremely selective" in picking its franchisee.

"I truly believe that the Berjaya (Group Bhd) and the Borders team have done something wonderful, and I am more confident than ever about the success of this venture," he said at the official opening of the superstore in Berjaya Times Square.

Borders' expansion began in 1997 with the opening of its Singapore flagship outlet. The extent of its reach includes Great Britain and Asia Pacific, serving some 30 million customers annually in 1,200 stores worldwide.

BGroup is Borders' first franchisee, with multiple stores to open in Malaysia. Borders Group senior vice president Gregg Bodnar said it could have opened the Malaysian store itself, but "we would miss the opportunity to test the franchise concept for the first time."

"Berjaya has the experience with the franchise concept and we thought it would be good to work with a world-class partner," he added. Borders said it planned to open 10 to 12 new stores outside the United States this year, mainly in the United Kingdom and Australia.

The flagship store in Malaysia covers an area of 60,000 sq ft and has over 200,000 titles. Borders’ second-largest store, opened in London in 2001, only covers an area of between 48,000 sq ft and 50,000 sq ft.

Does the Borders interior look like the pics on post #63? Do they have plasma tv screens around the store? Is the starbucks like a regular starbucks or is it a borders cafe?

Here's some pictures to satisfy some 'hungry eyes' :D


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Thanks for the photos, szehoong! :okay:

Here there's a mighty battle between Borders and Barnes & Noble.

So Borders fought their way into Kuala Lumpur?

I frankly have no idea how to judge these two American bookseller giants ... I prefer going to my local bookstore! :)

Been to Borders today. But only two floor has opened is it? How about the other one. Love the place. But why the Plasma tv so cheap one. Singer only ma??? :hahaha: :hahaha:

cool place!! post more lah :D

BTW, got couch and starbucks right?? pics??:D

Second Borders Franchise Opens in Malaysia
Friday December 2, 10:45 am ET


New Borders Store at The Curve Shopping Complex Will Serve Thriving Residential and Commercial District

ANN ARBOR, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2005--Berjaya Corporation Berhad, a publicly listed diversified corporation headquartered in Malaysia, yesterday opened the second Borders franchise store in that country. Under a franchise arrangement with Borders Inc., a subsidiary of global book, music and movie retailer Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE:BGP - News), Berjaya Corporation Berhad, which already operates a Borders franchise at Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur, has added a second Borders franchise at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara, a new lifestyle shopping complex that is part of a thriving residential/commercial/hotel development in the city of Petaling Jaya.

Easily accessed through the local highway network and within a 15-minute drive for over one million customers, the new Borders store occupies a 25,000-square-foot portion of the ground level and first floor of the 680,000-square-foot lifestyle shopping complex.

The Borders store at The Curve is the second franchise location in Malaysia under the agreement with Berjaya. The first Borders franchise store opened April 19, 2005 at Berjaya Times Square in Kuala Lumpur. At 60,000-square-feet, this store is the largest Borders location in the world.

"We're excited to welcome the second Borders franchise in Malaysia," said Rick Vanzura, president, Borders Group International and Paperchase worldwide. "Berjaya Corporation is an excellent organization and we are delighted to have the company behind this second franchise location at The Curve."

Director of Berjaya Books Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Berjaya Corporation Bhd, Francis Lee, said that the residents in the affluent neighborhood of The Curve are looking forward to the opening of Borders in their area. "We are equally excited about our presence at The Curve. Obviously, the Borders brand is catching on very fast in Malaysia."

The new Borders store at The Curve features a selection of approximately 200,000 book, music, periodicals and movie titles available in an inviting atmosphere with plenty of comfortable seating throughout the store. To meet the needs of the community, book titles -- sourced by Borders -- are available in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Chinese languages. Customers will find a broad selection of business, bargain and genre fiction books in the new store, along with a large variety of children's titles.

To enhance the shopping experience, the new Borders store at The Curve also has an in-store boutique featuring a selection of greeting cards, gift-wrap and other products from a leading U.S. brand. Customers will also enjoy a Starbucks Coffee store that is located on the ground level of the Borders store serving its trademark beverages and food items.

Official grand opening events and activities will take place at Borders in The Curve Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4. Complimentary coffee will be available for early shoppers, and events will include a children's story time and coloring contest on Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m., as well as free balloons and candy for children throughout the weekend. A disc jockey will also be on hand to entertain the crowd and hand out free gift items.

Our History
Source : Borders Group (http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/about/history.htm)


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The history of Borders Group, the second-largest and most profitable book, music, and movie retailer in the world, is a tale of two brands—Borders Books and Music® and Waldenbooks®—and its enterprising founders who instilled passion and innovation into the bookselling business.

Today the company remains rooted in a key component of its past, now shaping its future—its people. Through its 34,000 employees the company continues to provide customers with the books, music, movies, and other entertainment products they love in a relaxing, enjoyable atmosphere, while constantly redefining the consumer experience through new products and services.


1933 Lawrence Hoyt opens a rental library in Bridgeport, CT.



1962 Hoyt opens his first independently owned bookstore in Pittsburgh, PA, and calls it The Walden Book Store in tribute to Henry David Thoreau's literary classic, Walden.


1971 Tom and Louis Borders open an 800-square-foot used bookstore in the academic community of Ann Arbor, MI, and call it Borders Book Shop. Over the coming years Tom and Louis expand their operation, opening new stores in new markets.


1984 Kmart Corporation purchases Waldenbooks, and Waldenbooks purchases Brentano's, a chain of distinguished, tailored book stores.


1992 Kmart acquires Borders and forms the Borders-Walden Group.


1995 The Borders-Walden Group is renamed Borders Group, Inc. and goes public through an initial public offering.

Waldenbooks' headquarters moves from Stamford, CT, to Ann Arbor, the home base of Borders.


1996 Borders Group launches the Borders Group Foundation to support its employees and their families through need-based grants, merit scholarships, and key relationships with other caring organizations.


1997 Borders' first store outside of the U.S. opens in Singapore.


2001 Through an alliance with Amazon.com, Borders Group offers online shopping via www.borders.com, giving consumers access to a vast selection of books, music, and DVDs, as well as content unique to the website. The websites www.waldenbooks.com and www.borders.co.uk were introduced later.

Borders Group develops and launches the Value of Employment (V.O.E.) strategy to focus the company on activities that matter most to its employees. The strategy concentrates on four areas: Benefits and Services, Pay and Rewards, Employee Development, and Work Environment.


2003 Borders Group and T-Mobile team to make T-Mobile Wi-Fi HotSpot service available in Borders stores in the U.S.


2004 Borders Group and Seattle's Best Coffee LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Starbucks Corporation, sign a licensing agreement to open Seattle's Best Coffee cafes in Borders stores in the U.S. beginning in early
2005.

Borders Group acquires Paperchase Products Limited, a United Kingdom-based company that offers a unique assortment of stationery, gift packaging, greeting cards, art paper and materials, seasonal items, and other gifts.

Borders Group announces plans to open the first-ever Borders store in Malaysia under a planned franchise agreement with Berjaya Group Berhad.

In specific markets, Borders Group pilots the conversion of some Waldenbooks stores to Borders Express™.


2005 AARP recognizes Borders Group as a "Featured Employer," part of AARP's Workforce Initiative effort to connect mature workers (50 years and older) with job opportunities.

The largest Borders store in the world (60,000 square feet) opens in Malaysia at Kuala Lumpur's Berjaya Times Square shopping mall. A second location in Malaysia is announced.

i've read that Borders is opening more outlets in Penang and JB within 5 years!!

lemme see if i can find that article...

Friday December 2, 2005


Berjaya Books to open more Borders stores

BERJAYA Books Sdn Bhd is set to open eight to 10 Borders bookstores in Johor Baru, Penang and Ipoh within five years, said director Francis Lee.

“For the first couple of years, we would like to focus on the Klang Valley before moving on to secondary locations,” he told reporters after the soft-opening of Borders' second outlet in Petaling Jaya yesterday.

Lee said the new Borders outlets in the Klang Valley would be located in new or existing shopping malls that were expanding. He acknowledged that it was tough to find space of up to 20,000 sq ft in existing malls.

On plans for a third outlet, he said the company was talking to landlords of major shopping malls and had not set a specific date for the opening of the third store, which could sited in Petaling Jaya, Kuala Lumpur or Subang.

“There is no target date set for the third outlet. When there is a suitable location and it conforms to Borders' requirement in terms of demographics, target market and other factors, then we will decide,” Lee said.

Although he declined to reveal the investment for the second store, it is reported that investment in a single store is RM15mil to RM20mil.

With the opening of more stores in the next five years, Lee also hopes that Borders would become the leading retailer of books, music and movies in Malaysia by capturing a sizeable market share of 50%.

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Francis Lee surveys the latest Border store at The Curve in Petaling Jaya.

He also said that under the franchise agreement, there was no plan for an online store over the next three to four years because Borders had an agreement with Amazon.com to operate online stores.

The latest Borders outlet, covering 25,000 sq ft, is located at The Curve and carries a over 200,000 books, music and movie titles.

It also houses a cafe and offers a wide range of premium cards and gifts by Hallmark.

i think the selection of books in borders in KL is poor.... i can never find the books i want to buy... but i would say that they have excellent service..... very friendly and willing to help.... but even borders in uk.... they have quite poor stocking of books.... always run out and always have to order.... waterstones in uk is the best i think coz i can always find the books i want and can buy straight away..... kinokunya in kl is abit better but the one in SG is brilliant.... one of the best books stores i have ever been...

Borders branch at The Curve
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which one is better..Borders or WhSmith?

i think the selection of books in borders in KL is poor.... i can never find the books i want to buy... but i would say that they have excellent service..... very friendly and willing to help.... but even borders in uk.... they have quite poor stocking of books.... always run out and always have to order.... waterstones in uk is the best i think coz i can always find the books i want and can buy straight away..... kinokunya in kl is abit better but the one in SG is brilliant.... one of the best books stores i have ever been...

yeah..borders in UK are tend to be bestseller section and Starbucks folks only. Waterstones usually have better selection of academic books and serve better coffee.;) but they are not so as expanionist as the american corporate. There are merely few branches outside the UK, one is in Amsterdam.
Bookstores in Japan and Taiwan are very sophisticated. Some are equipped with in-house theater, gallery and tea house. There are some 24 hours bookstores in taipei!
Of course the world's most famous english bookshop is Foyles at Charing Cross Road (London's bookstreet). They even have a floor dedicate to music scores and a vertical ladder.

Are they going to have a coffee section in malaysia's border like what american borders have?

oh i am so glad that they are here finally!bye bye MPH! may be next BARNES&NOBLE ha!ha if not for BORDERS i dont think i will go to berjaya times square or i also like that pau joint on the same floor as the monorel station floor.

Are they going to have a coffee section in malaysia's border like what american borders have?
If i'm not mistaken, since the Malaysian Borders franchise is held by Berjaya, the cafe in Borders stores is gonna be Starbucks... This is similar to what is being done in US stores, where many Borders cafes are being converted to Starbucks...

by PTG International

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by PTG International

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@ Berjaya Times Square
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