Borders

Borders Bookshops are closing down 5 stores including their flagship store in Oxford Street, London. Everybody is saying its because of the enormous rents and a national fashion store wants the flagship site. Sad days but I don't think it is the end of the bookshop on the high street. In my travels up and down the country there are still some fantastic bookshops that are doing great things. Individually tailored shops that reflect what their customers want and not dictated to by the central buying constraints of head office. Borders orders centrally. They have some fine buyers but surely even they can't know what a store in Manchester wants as compared to London. I hope Borders survive and I'm sure they will. Its not brain surgery but why not get great managers, give them a budget and let them decide what to order. Surely, they know their market best?