Dymocks closure not representative of industry

Media Release

19 May 2009

Dymocks closure not representative of industry

While the closure of Dymocks bookstore in Lambton Quay Wellington is very unfortunate , the closure is not representative of the health of the nationwide book selling trade according to Booksellers NZ Chairman, Hamish Wright.

``Generally speaking booksellers in New Zealand are showing strong resilience and in many cases continued growth despite the economic conditions,’’ said Mr Wright, who also operates Wright’s Bookshop in Cambridge.

``We were very sorry to learn of the plight of Dymocks in Wellington, but it would appear that local competitive conditions were a key factor in the closure as opposed to the overall economic situation.

``The important competitive edge for booksellers is that books are a wonderful product for people to buy when times are tough compared with other more expensive forms of entertainment and also as a valued gift for friends and family,’’ said Mr Wright.

Booksellers New Zealand represents 354 booksellers and 74 publishers spread throughout the country.

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