Book Comps Up at Hastings
Comparable sales of books rose 1.0% at Hastings in the third quarter, led by sales of used trade paperback and hardcovers, plus new trade paperbacks. Overall, however, total revenue for the retailer fell 6.5%, to $114.3 million, and the company posted a $3.6 million loss for the period, compared to net income of $73,000 in last year’s third quarter. Hastings said it expects its fourth-quarter comp sales to fall in the low to mid-single digits. For the first nine months of the year, book comps were up 1.6%.
B&T Layoffs
According to industry sources, Baker & Taylor laid off 80 employees last week, with the bulk of the layoffs at B&T headquarters in Charlotte, N.C., and the Bridgewater, N.J., office. Several jobs were also cut at B&T Marketing Services in San Diego, Calif. A B&T spokesperson declined to confirm or deny any restructuring at the company.
Google Pact Gets Initial Ok
The judge overseeing the AAP and Authors Guild settlement with Google has given preliminary approval to the deal. Approval will set in motion a string of events designed to lead to final approval of the settlement that is now set for June. In the next stage, attorneys will send notice of the settlement to all publishers and authors informing them of the terms of the deal.
New Candlewick Imprint
Candlewick Press will debut its first imprint, Templar Books, next spring. A partnership with Britain’s Templar Publishing, the line will bring selected Templar titles to the U.S. market, including picture books, novelty titles and board books.
Linda Jones Exiting Borders
Linda Jones, senior v-p of merchandising for the children’s, multimedia, newsstand, calendar and game categories, will retire from Borders December 19. Executives reporting to Jones—including Diane Mangan, Patti Russo, and Joanna Goldstein —will report to Borders executive v-p of merchandising and marketing Rob Gruen until a replacement is named.
Correction
In the photo taken at the Texas Book Festival (Briefs, Nov. 10), the authors were misidentified: Marcia Kaylakie (center) is the author of Texas Quilts and Quilters. Rilla Askew (right) is the author of the novel Harpsong.
