Borders to Expand Sale of the Reader Digital Book from Sony to its National Store Network and Will Launch Co-branded Version of Sony's e-book Store

Borders announced it has signed an agreement with Sony that expands their existing relationship for the sale of the Reader Digital Book, and includes a new, co-branded version of Sony's online store for e-book downloads expected to be launched in October.

Under the agreement, Borders will expand the sale of the Reader -- the revolutionary reading device for e-books -- to over 500 of its stores nationwide beginning in October.

Currently, the Reader is sold in approximately 270 Borders stores, which began selling the device in 2006 when Borders was the first retailer to make it available outside of Sony itself (through its Sony Style stores and the company's e-commerce site).

In addition, as an outgrowth of its commitment to selling the Reader nationwide, Borders will launch a co-branded online store with support from Sony that will offer digital downloads of e-books. The online store will offer customers a vast selection of titles, including more than 20,000 books written by such bestselling authors as Dean Koontz, Khaled Hosseini and Michael Connelly, representing the leading names in publishing today. Eventually, the co-branded e-book store will be offered as part of Borders' upcoming e-commerce site, Borders.com.

Borders plans to market the Reader and the co-branded online store to its millions of customers using the company's comprehensive strategic marketing resources, including significant in-store exposure, as well as inclusion in the weekly Borders "Shortlist" customer e-mail, to promote e-books to an audience of heavy readers and book buyers who are loyal to the Borders brand.

The agreement will also enable Borders and Sony to help provide greater selection and value to customers. Through collaboration with publishers, the companies plan to broaden the number of e-books offered including more backlist titles by popular authors, expansion of the e-book format among small and mid-sized publishers, and by working toward the development of enhanced content that will provide added incentive to purchase books in traditional and digital formats.

"Embracing technology as a path to differentiate Borders is a key part of our company's strategic plan," said Borders Group Chief Executive Officer George Jones. "Sony's long history of innovation and pioneering efforts in establishing the e-book category with the Reader makes them a great partner. We firmly support the e-book as a format we believe will be of growing importance to our customers in the future, and this agreement is a big part of our plans to make Borders a true cross-channel retailer, fulfilling our mission as a headquarters for knowledge and entertainment."

"Borders is a world-class brand with incredible reach and influence, and their commitment to e-books is a clear sign the category is moving beyond the early adopter phase into the mainstream," said Stan Glasgow, president and chief operating officer of Sony Electronics Inc. "We look forward to working with Borders and the publishing community to broaden the audience by delivering a greater selection of digital content to people who love to read."

About the Reader
The Reader couples an innovative electronic paper display with simple on-screen controls and stylish design. Readers can carry with them about 80 typical e-books on the device (based on an average file size of 1.2MB), which has a battery life equivalent to about 7,500 continuous page turns (battery life will vary with usage). The Reader's high resolution electronic paper display delivers a realistic print look that rivals traditional paper and results in crisp text and graphics that are easy on the eyes even in bright sunlight.

Source: Borders Group
ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 19, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --