Macmillan Publishing USA, which drew the wrath of independent booksellers when it imposed a minimum purchase requirement on stores ordering directly from the publisher (Bookselling, July 14, 1997), will eliminate the provision, effective immediately. In a letter to booksellers, Macmillan Publishing president Scott Flanders cited two reasons for the change in policy.He noted that a state-of-the-art distribution center, which opened in January, improved Macmillan's turnaround time from an average of two weeks to four days and allows the company to fulfill small orders more efficiently. Flanders also said that Macmillan's pending separation from Simon &Schuster gives the company greater independence and flexibility in setting terms for each of its accounts.
Flanders told PW Macmillan had "overreacted to legitimate criticism about our service," and had felt independents would be better off buying from wholesalers. With the improvements the company has made in its distribution operations, however, he is confident Macmillan can deliver quality service to all accounts. Flanders explained that Macmillan is committed to reaching the independent market and will increase the number of reps calling on that market from six to 10. Additional reps will likely be added once Macmillan assumes responsibility for S&S's business and professional units when the deal with Pearson is closed.
