Simon & Schuster is the latest publisher to create a new ordering program for independent booksellers following the decision by Baker & Taylor to exit the retail wholesale business.
The S&S program, called Indie Quick Start, is being offered to independent bookstores without a current S&S account, or accounts that have been inactive for a year. In order to participate, the new account must be set up and have placed orders with S&S by August 30.
As part of the program, S&S is offering:
- Expedited application and credit approval process
- Quick initial order processing and no minimum for new customer initial order
- Simon & Schuster’s previously announced promotional terms for new store openings
All titles published by S&S as well as those of its distribution clients are included in the Indie Quick Start program.
“Simon & Schuster values and is committed to our independent bookstore partners and the overall health of the retail marketplace,” said Gary Urda, S&S senior v-p, sales, in a statement. “With this Indie Quick Start program we hope to both ease and speed the path to direct ordering for new customers, creating and building new relationships in this important bookselling channel.”
S&S has assigned a dedicated customer service representative to handle the Indie Quick Start process, and has set up a dedicated phone line and email inbox. For more information, booksellers can contact the publisher at 800-976-1725 or IndieBiz@simonandschuster.com.
