Stores in areas as disparate as New York City and Scarborough, Maine, are trying to lure Borders customers. Last Wednesday the Strand Book Store started offering in-store shoppers with a Borders Rewards card a free gift with purchase. “We have had a very positive response thus far,” says Christina Foxley, director of store events and marketing. “Our goal is to introduce those customers to the Strand and let them know that we sell many items that they found at Borders.” The promotion is ongoing.
The Strand is featuring the promotion in its store window on Broadway and online at its homepage (www.strandbooks.com) and via Twitter, Facebook, Yelp, and Foursquare. So far its Falling Books tote bag is the most popular gift, according to Foxley. Other choices include a Strand notebook and wrapping paper.
Bull Moose, a discount music and video store in Maine, which added book departments at its stores in Scarborough and Bangor, is trying a different approach. On its Web site (www.bullmoose.com) Bull Moose asks Borders customers specifically what they will miss about Borders and what Bull Moose can do. Among the responses are comfy couches, coffee, Wi-Fi, bargain books, coupons, and sci-fi.
