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Alibris Improves New and Used Textbook Sales for Sellers and Savings for Shoppers

Posted on: Wednesday, 23 July 2008, 09:00 CDT

Alibris, the premier online marketplace for new and used books, CDs, and DVDs, announced today the launch of new Web site features that make it easier to find and save on new and used textbooks, recognizing that the sluggish economy and exorbitant textbook prices are especially hard on students and parents. The launch of the site enhancements resonated with consumers and resulted in a dramatic increase in textbook sales, reported the marketplace for independent book, music, and movie sellers.

Part of a strategic plan to build on record-setting back-to-school sales in January, 2008, Alibris's new features aid textbook buyers in their search for more affordable textbooks at a time when education expenses are at an all-time high and rising gas and food prices are forcing consumers to make the most of every dollar. The average student spends USD 900 on textbooks each year, according to the College Board's "Trends in College Pricing 2007" and "Trends in Student Aid 2007" reports. "When you're enrolled in a four-year public college and siphoning 17.5% of your tuition and fees into textbook costs, you're eager to stop wasting money," said Brian Elliott, President and Chief Executive Officer of Alibris. "We were eager to help students do just that."

Alibris (www.alibris.com) premiered the following enhancements on their parent Web site as well as on Alibris U.K. (www.alibris.co.uk) and Borders Marketplace (which they host in partnership with Borders.com):

-- Multiple-ISBN search boxes: Students and other customers can now search Alibris's 90 million new and used books for up to 25 ISBNs at a single time. This ability gives shoppers a quick and easy way to seamlessly locate books by groupings that are convenient to them--for instance, all textbooks listed on the syllabus for a particular course.

-- Best-price bundles: The results of multi-ISBN searches are grouped by Alibris's powerful search engine into bundles comprising the most economical combination of available items, consolidating shipping where multiple items are available from the same independent seller. Shoppers are then able to add all or part of a bundle to their shopping cart, saving valuable time and money.

-- Suite of school-specific information pages: Students, educators, parents, and others are now provided with Web pages focused on the type of education that interests them most: college, high school, middle school, elementary school, and homeshool. The new pages contain recommended books, shopping tips, and helpful answers to educational questions.

-- Textbook tips: With the goal of improving each back-to-school shopper's experience from beginning to when their books are delivered, a prominent section featuring helpful tips now follows shoppers throughout Alibris, from the homepage to their search results and then into their shopping cart.

Interested parties may experience these new features, beginning with the school-specific information pages, by visiting http://www.alibris.com/books/textbooks.

"We're thrilled that we have been able to enhance our Web sites in a way that benefits the sellers on our online marketplace with increased sales," said Elliott. "And, at the same time, we're able to make customers happier with a better overall shopping experience and savings on new and used textbooks of up to 90% over campus bookstore prices." The improvements seem to be a resounding success among back-to-school shoppers seeking relief from high textbook prices.

About Alibris

Alibris is the premiere online destination for new and used books, music items, and movies, as well as rare and out-of-print titles. We connect people who love books, music, and movies to the best independent sellers from 45 countries around the world. Our proprietary technology and advanced logistics allow us to offer more than 90 million used, new, and out-of-print titles to consumers, libraries, and retailers, which include Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Borders, Chapters/Indigo, and Half.com. Founded in 1998 and acquired by Oak Hill Capital Partners in 2006, Alibris was named a "Fast 50" and a "Technology Fast 500" growth business by Deloitte in 2005. Alibris is a registered trademark.

Source: Business Wire

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