BTW News Briefs

Powell's Recognized as Among the Web's Elite

In its December 2005 edition, Internet Retailer magazine named Oregon-based Powell's Books as one of the 50 best retailers online. "Powells.com presents a wealth of material designed to bring customers back to the site," noted the annual Best of the Web report, pointing to in-depth author interviews, original essays, daily book reviews, and 12-minute podcasts, starring such luminaries as Salman Rushdie and the rock band Queens of the Stone Age. Powells.com now draws 70,000 unique visitors to the site each day.

Though Powell's does not operate physical stores beyond the greater Portland market, more than 90 percent of its online orders ship to customers outside the state. Founder Michael Powell said, "We want to capture the sense that we are passionate about what we do. We want people to sense they are in a real bookstore buying books from real people."

Internet Retailer wrote that Powell's excels alongside billion-dollar competitors thanks to its clear mission. "No one will ever confuse Powells.com with Amazon.com or other sites that peddle books alongside clothing, electronics, toys, and other merchandise," the magazine's editors explain. "From the personal recommendations of staff members to the ongoing tales of Fup the store cat, Powells.com has the feel of a neighborhood bookstore staffed by avid readers."

Books to Watch Out For Partners With Women & Children First

Books To Watch Out For, which publishes two subscription-based review publications -- the Lesbian Edition and the Gay Men's Edition -- in print or e-newsletter formats, has announced the launch of a new edition.

More Books for Women highlights 25 to 30 titles selected and succinctly reviewed by the owners and staff of Women & Children First bookstore in Chicago. "We're thrilled to be partnering with Women & Children First to publish More Books for Women," said publisher Carol Seajay in a press release. The e-newsletter's titles will include links to Women & Children First to order books online. For more information, or to preview of the first issue, visit www.BooksToWatchOutFor.com.

Gift Cards Called "the New Sweaters"

According to recent articles in both USA Today and the New York Times, gift cards continue to grow in popularity this holiday season, with the Times quoting a Wall Street analyst who claimed that cards are replacing the sweaters as the one-size-fits-all gift for Christmas. Moreover, the National Retail Federation (NRF) ranked gift cards third among the most-requested gift items this season, behind media (books, DVDs, video games, etc.) and apparel.

The Times noted that it used to be that the "bulky, loose-fitting sweater" was the "one size fits all gift solution," but not anymore. According to the Times, a respected Wall Street analyst, Gabrielle Kivitz of Deutsche Bank Securities, "sent a shudder through the nation's retail stock rooms recently when she theorized that consumers were rejecting argyle crew necks and cable-knit cardigans in favor of that other fail-safe option, the gift card."

NRF Says Strong November Sales Surpass Expectations

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for November (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose a strong 7.4 percent unadjusted over last year and increased 0.5 percent seasonally adjusted from the previous month. The increase is in line with NRF's holiday sales forecast of six percent growth. "Consumers shook off concerns about higher energy costs and responded well to the seasonal promotions," said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. "If November is any indication of what consumers are capable of, retailers can expect a very happy holiday season."

Sales at clothing and clothing accessories stores rose 7.6 percent year-over year, and electronics and appliance stores jumped 7.4 percent from November 2004. NRF expects retail industry sales to increase 5.6 percent this year over 2004. Holiday sales, which are defined as retail industry sales in the full months of November and December, are expected to rise six percent to $438.5 billion.