Toys ‘R’ Us my be well known for its traditional toys and games for the younger end of the market, but it look as though the company is now hoping to persuade shoppers to toss the odd e-reader into their basket while doing the usual rounds. Beginning on the last day of July, Toys ‘R’ Us will begin stocking the Amazon Kindle, while OfficeMax will become the new retailer for the Nook and the Nook Color.
With e-reader prices falling on an almost daily basis, the devices are becoming closer and closer to impulse purchases, which has seen an increasing number of retailers take an active interest in them. Furthermore, a recent survey has indicated that at least 51% of all families with kids at school plan to buy electronic devices this year, which is thought to be much more likely to materialize as a potentially educational option rather than one of pure entertainment.
The Nook from Barnes & Nobel has enjoyed a particularly impressive sales rally of late, even surpassing sales of the Kindle. Other retailers including Wal-Mart and Staples already carry the Nook and have reported consistently strong sales and interest across the board.
Such is likely to be of huge value to OfficeMax, following their posting of a stark year-on-year sales decline and an unexpected fist quarter loss.
OfficeMax in April posted its 13th consecutive quarter of year-to-year sales declines as it swung to an unexpected first-quarter loss. The company has been struggling in a sector beset by a glut of U.S. stores and cutthroat operating margins.
