Book Depository

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.

The Book Depository Ltd.
The Book Depository
Type of businessSubsidiary
Type of site
E-commerce
Available inEnglish
Founded2004 (2004)
Dissolved26 April 2023 (2023-04-26)
HeadquartersLondon, UK
Area servedWorldwide
IndustryBookselling, Online shopping
ProductsBooks
Revenue£69 million (2010)[1]
Employees150
ParentAmazon (2011–2023)
URLbookdepository.com
Launched2004 (2004)
Logo until 2016

History

The 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

The company had a large catalogue with a 'less of more' philosophy.[4] It offered free shipping to over 160 countries.[6]

Awards

In 2009 and 2010, it won Direct Bookselling Company of the Year at the Bookseller Industry Awards,[7] and the Queen's Award For Enterprise.

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

References
  1. Wood, Zoe (5 July 2011). "Booksellers fear 'stranglehold' as Amazon snaps up British rival The Book Depository". London: The Guardian.
  2. "Book Depository: Free delivery worldwide on over 20 million books". www.bookdepository.com.
  3. "How does the Amazon acquisition affect The Book Depository customers?", Help, The Book Depository.
  4. Knight, Lucy (4 April 2023). "Amazon to close Book Depository online shop". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
  5. Miller, Monica (5 April 2023). "Amazon closing UK-based online shop Book Depository". BBC. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  6. "Which countries do you deliver to?", Help, The Book depository.
  7. "Bookseller Award". Events force.
  8. "Start-up Award". UK: Startups.
  9. "Bookdepository". 100 List. UK: Fast Track. 2008. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012.
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