Eoin Purcell's Blog

Eoin Purcell

Blackwells Agree Deal for Espresso Machine Rollout
On any scale this is both interesting and a big deal. From the piece:

The deal makes Blackwell the first UK retailer to install the EBM. The academic chain will trial the machine from this autumn at a yet-to-be-determined launch site, and will then roll it out across its stores. It is also looking at possible international retail sites and library supply for the machine.

Blackwell c.e.o. Vince Gunn described the technology, the brainchild of former Random House US editorial director Jason Epstein, as “trailblazing and pioneering”. He added: “From a retailer’s point of view, even allowing for the first–generation technology and publisher challenges, this is a fantastic opportunity—sell to demand with no risk to inventory and an opportunity to create incremental revenue streams for ourselves and publishers.”

For their sakes I hope they roll it out fast and with fanfare before other steal their thunder. When you consider the customer breakdown and the likely purchases that Blackwell encompasses, you see that they are almost ideally suited as a launch customer for the Espresso in the UK!

My throat feeling slightly better and I’m rested. Lots of work next week,
Eoin

Filed under: Books, Bookselling, Future of Books, Future of Publishing, Innovation, Publishing Companies