In the Philippines, chain bookseller National Book Store strongly denied a social media post that has been circulating, claiming the company would be "closing branches in expensive malls. Only stand-alone shall stay. Going online."
In a statement posted on the company's Facebook page Monday, NBS wrote that it "would like to assure all our partners and customers that this story is not true. Despite the significant challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, National Book Store is working tirelessly to adapt to the difficulties posed by the current situation and continue providing every Laking National with books and supplies. In fact, the support given to us by our mall partners, especially Ayala, Robinsons, and SM, in whose malls most of our stores are located, has given us a chance to focus our energies in trying to overcome this crisis and continue to serve our customers and communities."
Conceding that "a small number of non-performing locations" might be evaluated for closure or downsizing as part of the company's normal course of business, NBS said "the vast majority of stores nationwide will remain open."
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| Andy Bird | |
Andy Bird, most recently president and chairman of Walt Disney International, has been appointed CEO of Pearson, subject to shareholder approval, the Bookseller reported. A non-executive director at Pearson, Bird was appointed to the board May 1. Current CEO John Fallon, who joined in 2013 and announced his departure last December, will step down from the board when Bird assumes the position on October 19, but is expected to stay on as an adviser until the end of 2020.
"We are delighted to have secured someone of Andy's caliber, after an extensive search and selection process," said Pearson chair Sidney Taurel. "Andy brings a wealth of international consumer experience, as well as significant expertise in building brands, transformational change and driving digital innovation. He is an inspirational and dynamic leader with an excellent track record of growth."
Taurel also thanked Fallon for his "outstanding contribution spanning over two decades with Pearson."
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Photo gallery: Xinhua shared pics of readers at a bookstore during the South China Book Festival in Guangzhou, which opened to the public on August 21 and runs until August 31. --Robert Gray