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Pocket Shop to launch in Birmingham Airport
Northern European bookshop chain Pocket Shop is to open its first UK branch in Birmingham Airport this July.
The opening will be followed by two other stores in travel locations during this year, the company said.
The Bookseller first reported Pocket Shop, owned by Swedish media giant Bonnier, was eyeing a UK launch last November.
Its c.e.o Anna Borné Minberger said: “We look forward to introducing Pocket Shop in the UK. We will do our best to inspire British readers on the move to find the books they want – and a few more they simply cannot resist.”
The shop will be based in the south departure lounge of Birmingham airport, which also contains eight WH Smith convenience stores and one dedicated WH Smith books Plus store.
Publishers have welcomed the new retailer, which has 25 shops in travel locations across Sweden, Finland and Germany.
Pia Printz, c.e.o of Printz Publishing in Sweden, said Pocket Shop was one of its most important partners, had knowledgeable staff and was also "one of the nicest to work with”.
"Everything works smoothly; from negotiations and agreements to buying and title campaigns,” Printz said. "In the history of Printz Publishing, Pocket Shop has been incredibly important – it has helped us create bestsellers like, for example, David Nicholls’ One Day. Few booksellers are as passionate when it comes to lifting titles they believe in as Pocket Shop.”
Sarah Davison-Aitkins, international sales manager at Penguin Random House, said: “I love the mix of titles available at the Pocket Shop stores and their friendly and helpful staff. The personal recommendations are compelling, interesting and well-presented and I enjoy browsing the mix of frontlist bestsellers, backlist classics and quirky personal choices that make up the selection on offer. Pocket Shop is a pleasure to work with as and a pleasure to buy from as a reader.”
The company looks set to challenge WH Smith Travel in airport locations in the UK.
In April, Borné Minberger told The Bookseller: “It is of course more important for us to find the right location, rather than [committing ourselves to] opening a certain number of shops per year.”
Paperback chain Pocket Shop was founded in 1989 by Mathias Engdahl. Bonnier bought it in 2012, with Minberger succeeding Engdahl as c.e.o. in 2013. There are around 25 Pocket Shop outlets across Sweden, Germany and Finland, all based in travel hubs such as airports and major train stations.
