Book Depository (previously The Book Depository) was a Gloucester, United Kingdom based online book seller. Founded by a former Amazon employee, it operated from 2004 to 2023.
 | |
| Type of business | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
Type of site | E-commerce |
| Available in | English |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Dissolved | 26 April 2023 |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Industry | Bookselling, Online shopping |
| Products | Books |
| Revenue | £69 million (2010)[1] |
| Employees | 150[citation needed] |
| Parent | Amazon (2011–2023) |
| URL | bookdepository |
| Launched | 2004 |
History
editThe company was founded in 2004 by Andrew Crawford (former Amazon employee) and Stuart Felton. Its motto was to make "All Books Available to All"[2] by improving selection, access and affordability.[2]
It was acquired by Amazon on 4 July 2011.[3][1] The move led commentators to worry about the 'strangle hold' of Amazon on the UK book market.[4]
On 5 April 2023, Amazon announced that it would be closing down Book Depository on 26 April 2023.[5]
Service
editThe company had a large catalogue with a 'less of more' philosophy.[4] It offered free shipping to over 160 countries.[6]
Awards
editIn 2009 and 2010, it won Direct Bookselling Company of the Year at the Bookseller Industry Awards,[7] and the Queen's Award For Enterprise.[citation needed]
In 2012, Book Depository was a finalist for the Fast Growth Business Awards' Retail/Leisure Business of the Year award, and won two UK Startup Awards, Online Business of the Year and Retailer of the Year.[8]
In 2013, it was ranked 5th in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100.[9]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b Wood, Zoe (5 July 2011). "Booksellers fear 'stranglehold' as Amazon snaps up British rival The Book Depository". London: The Guardian.
- ^ a b "Book Depository: Free delivery worldwide on over 20 million books". www.bookdepository.com.
- ^ "How does the Amazon acquisition affect The Book Depository customers?", Help, The Book Depository.
- ^ a b Knight, Lucy (4 April 2023). "Amazon to close Book Depository online shop". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ Miller, Monica (5 April 2023). "Amazon closing UK-based online shop Book Depository". BBC. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
- ^ "Which countries do you deliver to?", Help, The Book depository.
- ^ "Bookseller Award". Events force.
- ^ "Start-up Award". UK: Startups.
- ^ "Bookdepository". 100 List. UK: Fast Track. 2008. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012.