British book retailer opens website with Amazon

British book retailer Borders today opened a new chapter by joining forces with Amazon to launch its first website for UK customers.

The chain, which also includes Books etc, started selling books, music, DVDs and videos as part of a “multi-year” deal.

It follows a similar move by Waterstones to launch its website through Amazon in 2001.

Under the arrangement, Amazon is providing Borders and Books etc with technology services, site content and customer service among other things.

Amazon has been running a similar site with Borders in the US for three years. The terms of today’s venture were not disclosed.

Borders UK managing director Philip Downer said: “This is our first e-commerce site in the UK and Borders.co.uk extends the wide choice, welcoming atmosphere and high service standards customers appreciate and respond to in our stores.”

US-based Borders sells its products from sites including 430 stores in the United States and 36 international outlets – mainly in the UK and Pacific Rim. It employs 32,000 people worldwide.

It recently unveiled a £18.6m (€26.7m) deal to take control of stationery-to-greeting cards seller Paperchase.

The majority of gifts and stationery items available at Borders’ UK and Singapore stores are already provided by Paperchase.