Alibris UK to launch in November

[amy]

Alibris UK
Alibris will launch a new Web site for customers in the United Kingdom and Europe this November. Building on our successful North American platform, Alibris U.K. will increase sales and provide a new destination for customers and sellers in the United Kingdom and Europe.

What's changing?

    * "Ship to Customer" Orders: Sellers in the United Kingdom and Europe will ship directly to customers in the United Kingdom and Europe. These items will appear on the Seller Hub under the new heading "Ship to Customer". We'll send a separate e-mail to sellers in the United Kingdom and Europe detailing the shipping credits and fulfillment procedures for "Ship to Customer" orders.

    * Pricing: On Alibris U.K., the uplift on prices for inventory listed by sellers in the United Kingdom and Europe will be significantly reduced. This means that U.K. seller inventory will be competitively priced compared to other U.K. selling venues. However, U.S. seller inventory will receive a mark-up—on Alibris U.K. only—to offset additional shipping costs.

    * Currency: Customers will be able to view prices and transact in their local currency on both Alibris U.K. and Alibris U.S. We'll support 13 currencies and handle all foreign exchange transactions on both Web sites.

    * Marketing: Alibris will aggressively market Alibris U.K. in the United Kingdom, using methods that have helped Alibris become the fourth-largest bookselling site in the U.S.

What's not changing?

    * "Ship to Alibris" Orders: Sellers in the United Kingdom and Europe will continue to ship items ordered by customers in the U.S., Canada, and other countries to the Alibris warehouse in Sparks, Nevada. Shipping procedures for sellers in the U.S., Canada, and other countries will not change, though you may notice an increase in the number of orders that "Ship to Alibris".

    * Inventory: There are no changes to the way you'll load or maintain your inventory.

    * Policies: The professional and ethical standards that make Alibris the premier destination for independent sellers will not change. Sellers from the United Kingdom and Europe will be held to the same standards as current sellers.

In our December 2005 newsletter we told you that we'd "develop a more attractive international offering". Alibris U.K. is the first step in fulfilling this statement and our continuing international expansion. We will keep you informed about the launch of Alibris U.K. and other advancements targeted to increase your sales.

[mandy]

The press release announcing the opening:

Alibris, the premier online destination for new and second-hand books in the United States, announced today the launch of its U.K. Web site and a drive to expand into international book markets. Alibris U.K. ( www.alibris.co.uk ) provides convenient access to more than 60 million new, out-of-print, rare, and second-hand books to English-speaking consumers throughout the United Kingdom and sixteen countries in Europe.

"Alibris now delivers a huge selection of books-faster, at lower prices, and in local currency," noted Alibris Chairman and CEO Martin Manley.

Book lovers in the U.K., Ireland, and Europe can now turn to Alibris U.K. for books they thought they'd never find. The Web site enables shoppers to order from thousands of independent booksellers based in their hometown, in their own country, and in overseas locations.

Alibris customers around the world can now purchase books with their local currency. Alibris accepts the British pound sterling, the euro, and eleven other currencies. Alibris has also reduced prices for U.K. and European shoppers by thirty to fifty percent.

Alibris U.K. offers fast, direct shipping on orders destined for British or European addresses. With this direct-shipping upgrade, parcel delivery times have been cut in half.

"We're thrilled to be increasing the selection, value, and convenience for our U.K. and European customers and to be significantly growing the sales of our U.K. booksellers," said Manley.

Alibris U.K. is a sales partner with hundreds of independent booksellers in the U.K. and Europe. Alibris U.K. provides them with direct access to millions of online customers. Widely regarded as a leading destination site for consumers searching for hard-to-find, out-of-print, and rare books, Alibris U.K. brings increased sales to its bookselling partners.

"Our U.K. booksellers have asked us for years for a U.K. Web site that would to help them sell more books to U.K. customers," said Brian Elliott, president of Alibris. "This approach also provides us with an English- language-based starting point for sales to customers throughout Europe."

CEO Manley confirmed that the U.K. Web site launch is part of an international growth strategy for the company. "We expect to announce additional Web sites for buyers and sellers of books in languages other than English," noted CEO Manley. "Alibris is now backed by investors who are eager to back our international expansion, and we look forward to doing a lot more in 2007 and 2008."

http://www.alibris.com/about/press_relea..._11_14.cfm