Ralph Nader, Commercial Alert and 26 authors and scholars sent a letter today to Borders Group CEO Gregory P. Josefowicz, asking him to reconsider his "category management" plan which will likely reduce the range of ideas in print and put small publishers out of business.
The Borders Group is the second largest book retailer in the United States, with more than 1,000 outlets in all 50 States. Its decisions affect other book sellers, as well as the general public. "Category Management" might also set a precedent, which could affect other countries.
The letter follows.
Dear Mr. Josefowicz:
There is a difference between books and pop-tarts. It should not be necessary to point this out to a man who sells books, but apparently it is. According to press reports, you plan to embrace the grocery industry's practice of "category management," so that publishers – not you the bookseller but publishers - will manage the offerings on your shelves.
The Borders Group is the second largest book retailer in the United States, with more than 1,000 outlets in all 50 States. Its decisions affect other book sellers, as well as the general public. "Category Management" might also set a precedent, which could affect other countries.
The letter follows.
Dear Mr. Josefowicz:
There is a difference between books and pop-tarts. It should not be necessary to point this out to a man who sells books, but apparently it is. According to press reports, you plan to embrace the grocery industry's practice of "category management," so that publishers – not you the bookseller but publishers - will manage the offerings on your shelves.