The digiDirect Group, which includes online book retailer, Booktopia and consumer electronics retailer, digiDirect, has today announced the acquisition of Australia’s leading local library supplier, James Bennett to join its retail stable of businesses.
James Bennett, headquartered in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where most of its 130 staff are based, is known for its advanced print and digital offerings, as well as its collection development services. The company has served libraries across Australia and New Zealand as well as major international libraries for more than 60 years. Most recently, the company had been under American ownership at international library supplier, Baker & Taylor.
Shant Kradjian, Chairman and CEO at The digiDirect Group, is delighted to bolster the retail group with the acquisition. Kradjian said: “We are delighted to bring James Bennett back into Australian hands, honouring the roots of the founder himself back in 1964. This new acquisition secures a completely different channel of book customers to Booktopia, complementing its strong consumer and academic offering with the ability to provide shelf-ready books and associated services to our nation’s libraries.”
“When we acquired Booktopia in August last year, we said we were committed to advancing the Australian book and publishing industry and this acquisition of James Bennett is the latest manifestation of that commitment,” added Kradjian.
James Bennett will continue to run its operations out of its existing home in Brookvale with a separate management team to Booktopia, however, the teams will seek to unlock synergies between the businesses to unlock further growth.
Haig Kayserian, Director of Retail & Logistics, The digiDirect Group, commented: “Booktopia’s robot-enabled, automated customer fulfilment centre is already being used by digiDirect and presents an obvious opportunity to optimise James Bennett’s logistics operations. With the collective expertise of the team, we have no doubt the collaboration will further bolster our retail operation and long-term ambitions for our retail business.”
Sina Clayton, Director of Finance & Operations, The digiDirect Group, added: “We would like to thank the team at Baker & Taylor for working hard with us over several months of good faith negotiations that ultimately saw this deal to fruition, allowing James Bennett to join our stable of retail companies.”
All key personnel from James Bennett will be offered the opportunity to continue with the business, which has over 1,000 libraries among its clientele.
Amandeep Kochar, Group President and CEO, Baker & Taylor, said: “We are excited to see James Bennett continue to evolve as the market leader supplying Australian libraries with leading innovations and services. We look forward to future opportunities to work with The digiDirect Group and Booktopia.”
The digiDirect Group was established to bring together flagship businesses, digiDirect and Booktopia alongside other businesses in health, assets and property, hospitality and lifestyle under one umbrella, all owned by founder and CEO, Shant Kradjian.
The Group also supports The digiDirect Foundation, which drives the company’s philanthropic contributions, partnering with charities and causes which are close to the heart of the Group’s business units and its people.
About The digiDirect Group
The digiDirect Group is a multi-faceted group of companies that has been serving Australian customers for more than 20 years. The Group brings together consumer electronics retailer, digiDirect, online bookstore, Booktopia and other businesses in health, assets and property, hospitality and lifestyle under one umbrella, all owned by founder and CEO, Shant Kradjian. Learn more at www.digidirectgroup.com.au.
About Baker & Taylor
Founded in 1828, Baker & Taylor is dedicated to serving libraries so they can inspire and engage their communities through literacy and learning. Offering an extensive selection of products and services for academic and public libraries, Baker & Taylor is the only partner that can truly offer a one-stop shopping experience for all formats, including print, movies and music, and digital downloadable ebooks and audio content. Learn more at www.baker-taylor.com.
For media enquiries, contact:
Adam Freedman – Head of Brand, Loyalty & Communications, The digiDirect Group
The digiDirect Group
Building 2, 34-48 Cosgrove Road, Strathfield South NSW 2136
www.digidirect.com.au / www.booktopia.com.au
